snatcher

/ˈsnætʃə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · [snˈætʃɚ] /ˈsnætʃər/ (ame, ipa) · [snˈætʃɚ] /ˈsnachə(r)/ (ame, mw)

snatcher — noun

  • snatchersingular
  • snatchersplural

1. a criminal who suddenly grabs an object or a person and carries them off, often

1.名詞C1
釋義

a criminal who suddenly grabs an object or a person and carries them off, often escaping before anyone can stop them

例句

A purse snatcher grabbed Valentina's bag outside the cinema and disappeared.

collocation: purse snatcher

Quan shouted as the snatcher pulled his phone from his coat pocket.

pattern: snatcher + pulled + object

同義詞
  • thief

    the broad everyday word for anyone who steals

  • mugger

    usually attacks a person directly and threatens or hurts them in public

  • kidnapper

    only used when the victim is a person who is taken away

  • pickpocket

    steals secretly from pockets or bags rather than grabbing openly

反義詞
  • victim

    the person or group that the snatcher targets

文法句型

a purse snatcher

a child snatcher

用法筆記

In everyday use, snatcher often means a thief who grabs a bag or phone and runs away. In crime reports, it can also refer to someone who carries off a person, especially a child.

常見錯誤

❌A pickpocket ran at Marta and tore the bag from her arm.
✅A snatcher ran at Marta and tore the bag from her arm.
💡'pickpocket' suggests secret stealing from a pocket or bag, while 'snatcher' suggests a sudden grab.
❌Police arrested the snatcher for quietly taking coins from passengers' pockets.
✅Police arrested the pickpocket for quietly taking coins from passengers' pockets.
💡a 'snatcher' normally grabs something openly and fast, not by stealth.