# snarl

> English word · Verb · IPA /ˈsnɑː(ɹ)l/ · frequency rank #46,184

## Definitions
1. To entangle; to complicate; to involve in knots.
2. To become entangled.
3. To place in an embarrassing situation; to ensnare; to make overly complicated.
4. To be congested in traffic, or to make traffic congested.
5. To form raised work upon the outer surface of (thin metal ware) by the repercussion of a snarling iron upon the inner surface; to repoussé

## Etymology
From Middle English snarlen, frequentative of snaren (“to trap, tangle”). Equivalent to snare + -le.

## Easily confused with
- **SNL** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/snarl-vs-snl)
- **Snr** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/snarl-vs-snr)
- **star** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/snarl-vs-star)
- **soar** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/snarl-vs-soar)
- **spar** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/snarl-vs-spar)
- **start** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/snarl-vs-start)
- **stars** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/snarl-vs-stars)
- **spare** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/snarl-vs-spare)
- **stark** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/snarl-vs-stark)
- **spark** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/snarl-vs-spark)
- **stare** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/snarl-vs-stare)
- **stall** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/snarl-vs-stall)
- **swarm** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/snarl-vs-swarm)
- **starr** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/snarl-vs-starr)
- **sonar** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/snarl-vs-sonar)
- **swirl** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/snarl-vs-swirl)
- **snort** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/snarl-vs-snort)
- **snell** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/snarl-vs-snell)
- **snore** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/snarl-vs-snore)
- **sal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sal-vs-snarl)

## Common misspellings (8)
`nsarl`, `sanrl`, `snalr`, `snarll`, `snarrl`, `snnarl`, `snral`, `ssnarl`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/snarl