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.

Noun

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