snarl

/snɑrl/
noun
  1. A fierce, angry sound made by an animal, often with teeth showing.
    • The dog's snarl warned the mail carrier to stay back.
    • The lion let out a deep snarl that echoed through the zoo.
    • We heard a snarl from the bushes and froze.
  2. An angry or aggressive remark or tone.
    • She answered with a snarl, making it clear she was upset.
    • The driver's snarl was directed at the cyclist who cut him off.
    • His reply was a snarl full of contempt.
  3. A tangled or knotted mass, especially of hair, thread, or traffic.
    • The thread formed a snarl that was impossible to undo.
    • The highway was a snarl of cars during rush hour.
    • She spent an hour brushing the snarl out of her daughter's hair.
verb
  1. (of an animal) to make a fierce, angry sound while showing teeth.
    • When the cat felt cornered, it snarled loudly.
    • The wolf snarled and bared its teeth before backing away.
    • The dog snarled at the stranger approaching the gate.
  2. To speak in an angry, aggressive, or threatening tone.
    • “Get out of my way!” he snarled at the slow driver.
    • She snarled a warning at the children who were misbehaving.
    • The boss snarled at the team for missing the deadline.
  3. To become tangled or twisted, especially hair, thread, or traffic.
    • The fishing line snarled around the rocks.
    • The wind snarled her long hair into a messy knot.
    • Traffic snarled for miles after the accident.
Synonyms
Antonyms