snatcher

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snatcher

A purse snatcher grabs a woman's handbag on a city sidewalk.

Definition

Noun: 1. A person who takes something suddenly and quickly, often by force or stealth: A "snatcher" is someone who seizes something abruptly, typically to steal it. This action implies speed and a lack of permission. 2. A person who kidnaps someone: In a more specific and serious context, a "snatcher" can refer to someone who unlawfully takes and holds a person, often for ransom.

Usage and Examples
  • Referring to a thief:
    • The police warned residents about a snatcher targeting tourists' cameras.
    • She screamed as the snatcher grabbed her phone and disappeared into the crowd.
  • Referring to a kidnapper (this usage is less common in everyday speech than "kidnapper"):
    • The novel's plot involves a child snatcher who demands a large ransom.
Advanced Usage
  • The word often forms compound nouns that specify what is being taken. These are listed as separate lexical items but demonstrate the pattern of use.
    • Bag-snatcher: A thief who steals bags.
    • Purse-snatcher: A thief who steals women's handbags.
  • The term can be used metaphorically to describe someone who takes opportunities or things very quickly and aggressively.
    • In the competitive sales industry, he was known as a deal snatcher.
Variants and Related Words
  • Snatch (verb): To take something quickly or eagerly, often with a sudden movement.
    • He snatched the letter from my hand.
  • Snatch (noun): An act of snatching; also, a brief fragment or period.
    • She made a snatch at the falling book.
    • I only heard snatches of their conversation.
Synonyms
  • Thief: A more general term for someone who steals.
  • Robber: A person who steals from someone using force or threat.
  • Kidnapper: A person who abducts someone and holds them captive (specific to the second definition).
  • Grabber: An informal term for someone who takes things quickly.
Related Phrases and Collocations
  • To work as a snatcher: To have the occupation of stealing in this manner (used in crime reporting).
    • He was arrested after working as a snatcher for months.
  • Snatch and run / grab and run: A common pattern describing the crime associated with a snatcher.
    • It was a classic snatch-and-run theft.
snatcher

A purse snatcher grabs a woman's handbag on a city sidewalk.

Noun
  1. someone who unlawfully seizes and detains a victim (usually for ransom)
  2. a thief who grabs and runs
    • a purse snatcher

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