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to snarf

to snarf

1 9.9
To take something quickly, often without permission
  • verb
  • /snɑrf/
  • Slang
translation icon : robar
  • It probably went through a large service provider who snarfed up the cleartext, stuffed it into an advertising algorithm, then dropped it into a long-term data store where it will reside for the next three years.

Examples

  • The underside of that Reaper drone is fixed with a big-ass antenna, snarfing the hardware ID of anything that broadcasts.

  • "In a little over three weeks, Jenny, Shug Nrgyzb is going to pop up amidst, as it's been explained to me, considerable fire and brimstone and snarf me down.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • That sentence about the Mariners made me snarf.

    Blog text (27)
  • I want to make more time to explore it instead of just snarfing Tim Horton's at the airport.

    Blog text (22)
  • I'm going back to smoking, drinking whiskey, and snarfing chocolate cake.

    Blog text (3)
  • Well, glucose is the basis of metabolism, and tumors are growing rapidly, so they really snarf up glucose, OK?

  • On the right, you had Mr. and Ms. Berkowitz in the kitchen with their three slouchy sons, everybody snarfing heaps of food.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • He snarfed down my PB&J, and I wolfed down his bacon lettuce sandwich.

    Blog text (32)
  • He quickly snarfed the last piece of pizza before anyone else could grab it.

  • The dog snarfed up the scraps of food left on the floor in no time.

Synonyms

to steal
vsto snarf
1.0

Take something that does not belong to you without permission

is the same action but often emphasizes quickness
to sneak
vsto snarf
699 2.8

To move or take something quietly so others do not notice

is about fast taking often without permission rather than quiet movement
to snatch
vsto snarf
136 3.0

To take something quickly with your hand

is about stealing quickly rather than any sudden grab
to rip off
vsto snarf
  • Informal
79 6.3

To steal something quickly without the owner knowing

is similar but focuses specifically on quick taking rather than wider theft
to swipe
vsto snarf
  • Informal
49 5.5

To take something quickly without the owner noticing

is about quick taking that is often not permitted rather than casual action
to lift
vsto snarf
  • Informal
35 8.1

To steal something secretly from a shop or person

is about quick taking often without permission rather than secret trickery
to pinch
vsto snarf
  • Informal
34 8.0

Steal something small, often of little value

is not limited to small items and mainly stresses quick unauthorized taking
to pilfer
vsto snarf
16 6.5

To steal small things of little value, often a little at a time

is about quick single acts rather than repeated petty stealing over time
to purloin
vsto snarf
4 9.6

To steal something secretly or dishonestly

is more informal and stresses quick taking rather than formal secret theft
to filch
vsto snarf
4 8.4

To steal a small thing quietly when no one is looking

is similar but applies to quick taking of any size, not just small items
to hook
vsto snarf
  • Slang
3 9.1

To steal something, especially quickly in a crowded place

is more neutral in tone and focuses on quick unauthorized taking
to snitch
vsto snarf
  • Archaic
2 8.0

To steal something quickly and secretly

is more neutral in tone while the key focuses on speed
to snag
vsto snarf
  • Informal
2 6.1

To get something quickly when it is hard to find

implies taking without permission rather than merely clever or legal obtaining
to snipe
vsto snarf
  • Informal
1 7.7

To quickly take something before others can act

is a general quick taking rather than seizing opportunities before others
to snaffle
vsto snarf
  • UK
8.5

To take something quickly often before others notice

usually involves taking without permission rather than just a quick grab
7.7

Grab someone's handbag quickly and run away to steal it

is general quick taking and not limited to handbags or force
to nobble
vsto snarf
  • NSFW
9.9

British informal word for stealing someone else's things

is not regionally marked and highlights quick taking rather than British slang

Antonyms

1.0

Give something back to its owner or the place it came from

How Fast

to snatch
136 3.0
to snarf
  • Slang
1 9.9
to grab
1.0

Surface Forms

snarf infinitive
snarfed past
snarfed past participle
snarfing present participle
snarfs third person singular

Etymology

Snarf probably comes from an imitative slang sound that feels like a quick grab or gulp, and a helpful way to remember it is to think of scarf ('to eat quickly') and snatch ('to take quickly'). So, to snarf something is to take or eat it fast, often without permission.