What is snare? Pronunciation and usage in English

snare means . Learn how to pronounce and use snare through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of snare

snarenoun

/sneə(r)//sner/
Definition & pronunciation of snare

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "snare." It's a tricky one for some! Here's a breakdown:

The Most Common Pronunciation (American English):

  • ˈsnær (Stress is on the first syllable)

Let's break that down further:

  1. "sn": Pronounced like the "sn" in "snake" or "sun."
  2. "are": This is where it gets tricky. In American English, the "a" in "are" is pronounced like the "a" in "car" – a short, open “ah” sound. Many people tend to drop the "r" sound here, so it almost sounds like "snar."

The British Pronunciation:

  • snэр (Stress is on the first syllable)

This pronunciation is closer to “snair,” with a clear "r" sound at the end.

Resources to Listen:

Tips for Getting it Right:

  • Focus on the "ah" sound: Really try to make that short, open "ah" sound for the "are" part, even if you're not fully pronouncing the “r”.
  • Listen to native speakers: The best way to learn is to hear it spoken correctly. Use the links above to hear different pronunciations.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from? (e.g., United States, United Kingdom, Australia?) Knowing your native language can give me a better idea of potential difficulties.

Usage and examples with the word snare in English

Let's break down how to use the word "snare" in English. It has several meanings, so context is key! Here's a detailed look:

1. As a Trap (Most Common Meaning)

  • Definition: A device for catching animals or people.
  • Example: “The fox stepped into a snare set by the hunter.”
  • Synonyms: trap, cage, net, hold, bind
  • Usage Note: This is the most literal and frequently used meaning.

2. As a Verb – To Trap or Entangle

  • Definition: To catch someone or something in a trap, to hinder or obstruct.
  • Example: “The rain snare her walk.” (meaning it slowed her down)
  • Example: "The politician was snared by the journalist's questions.” (meaning he was caught out or exposed)
  • Synonyms: trap, ensnare, catch, entangle, bewitch, deceive
  • Usage Note: Often implies a degree of cunning or trickery.

3. As a Noun – A Difficult Situation or Problem

  • Definition: A difficult or complicated situation; a predicament. It suggests feeling trapped and unable to easily escape.
  • Example: “He found himself in a financial snare after making a bad investment.”
  • Example: “The company is caught in a legal snare.”
  • Synonyms: predicament, dilemma, trap, bind, corner, entanglement
  • Usage Note: This meaning is more figurative. It’s about being stuck or facing a tough challenge.

4. As a Noun – A Musical Device

  • Definition: A musical device – a figure in which a melodic phrase is repeated at a different pitch. (More common in classical music discussion)
  • Example: “The composer used a snare to create a sense of tension.”

Here's a breakdown of how to use "snare" effectively, with examples:

Scenario 1: Literal Trap

  • Sentence: "The hikers discovered a hunting snare in the woods."
  • Meaning: A physical trap for animals.

Scenario 2: Verb - Trapping Someone

  • Sentence: “The detective expertly snared the suspect with a cleverly worded question.”
  • Meaning: The detective trapped or caught the suspect.

Scenario 3: Noun - Difficult Situation

  • Sentence: “She felt snared by the demands of her multiple jobs.”
  • Meaning: She felt trapped and overwhelmed by her commitments.

Tips for Using "Snare" Correctly:

  • Consider the Context: The meaning of “snare” dramatically changes based on how it’s used. Pay close attention to the surrounding words.
  • Figurative vs. Literal: Be aware when you're using the word figuratively (meaning a difficult situation) versus literally (meaning a physical trap).
  • Synonyms: Knowing synonyms can help you choose the best word to convey your specific meaning.

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to do with the word "snare"? (e.g., write a story, answer a question, etc.)
  • Can you give me an example sentence you’re struggling with?

Synonyms for the word snare

Practice with vocabulary snare

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The intelligence agency set a clever digital _______ to capture the network infiltrator.
  2. It is easy for new investors to _______ themselves in high-risk ventures without proper research.
  3. The negotiation team carefully avoided the _______ of making premature concessions.
  4. Effective communication often depends _______ clarity and conciseness.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which of the following terms could refer to a snare? a) A strategic trap b) A type of musical instrument c) A difficult predicament d) A protective barrier

  2. When someone is said to "snare a deal," it often implies they: a) Negotiated fairly and openly. b) Secured it cleverly or unexpectedly. c) Lost the opportunity. d) Were forced into it.

  3. In a cybersecurity context, a system designed to snare hackers would primarily aim to: a) Prevent all access. b) Detect and capture malicious actors. c) Simplify data encryption. d) Distribute software updates.

  4. Which actions indicate an attempt to deliberately misguide or trick someone? a) Elucidate information. b) Obfuscate the facts. c) Propagate misinformation. d) Rectify an error.

  5. The researcher aimed to _______ a strong emotional response from the participants through the carefully designed experiment. a) Elicit b) Solicit c) Illicit d) Entice

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The ambitious startup found itself in a complex and difficult situation after underestimating market competition. Rewrite the sentence using a form of "snare":
  2. Law enforcement officers used a sophisticated electronic device to apprehend the cybercriminal. Rewrite the sentence using "snare":
  3. The manager reminded the new hires to be cautious of making hasty decisions without full information. Rewrite the sentence using a suitable replacement word for "hasty decisions," but do not use "snare":

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The intelligence agency set a clever digital snare to capture the network infiltrator.
  2. It is easy for new investors to snare themselves in high-risk ventures without proper research.
  3. The negotiation team carefully avoided the pitfall of making premature concessions.
  4. Effective communication often depends on clarity and conciseness.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. a) A strategic trap, b) A type of musical instrument, c) A difficult predicament
  2. b) Secured it cleverly or unexpectedly.
  3. b) Detect and capture malicious actors.
  4. b) Obfuscate the facts, c) Propagate misinformation.
  5. a) Elicit

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The ambitious startup found itself caught in a market snare after underestimating market competition.
  2. Law enforcement officers deployed a sophisticated electronic snare to apprehend the cybercriminal.
  3. The manager reminded the new hires to be cautious of the pitfall of making hasty decisions without full information.

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