What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
wrest
Example
The thief tried to wrest the purse from the woman's hand. [wrest: verb]
Example
The two wrestlers were locked in a fierce wrestle for the championship title. [wrestle: noun]
snatch
Example
The child snatched the toy from his sister's hand. [snatched: past tense]
Example
The thief made a quick snatch of the necklace and ran away. [snatch: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Snatch is more commonly used than wrest in everyday language. Snatch is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while wrest is less common and has a more specific meaning.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between wrest and snatch?
Both wrest and snatch are typically associated with an informal tone, but wrest may be used in more formal contexts, such as in sports or legal settings.