1
as in to arrest
to take or keep under one's control by authority of law
the officer nabbed the purse snatcher before he could escape
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to grab
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly
a pickpocket nabbed my wallet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nab
But Brunson and Bridges were able to pull off another win their junior year, nabbing the 2018 NCAA championship together, before declaring for the NBA draft.
—
Matt Nighswander,
NBC news,
18 June 2026
After two seasons on the daytime soap Another World, Henry Simmons nabbed the role of the calm but intimidating Det.
—
Maggie Fremont,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 June 2026
Suzuki also recorded an outfield assist in the first by nabbing Bryce Eldridge trying to stretch a single into a double.
—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
14 June 2026
Dutch team nabs 17 bikes from KC shop.
—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for nab
Matt Nighswander,
NBC news,
18 June 2026
After two seasons on the daytime soap Another World, Henry Simmons nabbed the role of the calm but intimidating Det.
—
Maggie Fremont,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 June 2026
Suzuki also recorded an outfield assist in the first by nabbing Bryce Eldridge trying to stretch a single into a double.
—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
14 June 2026
Dutch team nabs 17 bikes from KC shop.
—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for nab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nab
Verb
-
The suspects arrested allegedly planned to target senior government officials with small, armed drones; no devices were launched.
-
Police later caught up to Shockley at his father’s home in New Jersey, and he was arrested and convicted of murder.
Verb
-
There is an art to cutting a cantaloupe, which starts long before grabbing the knife and cutting board.
-
Schmidt can be forgiven for making this headline-grabbing prediction.
Verb
-
Hilton, running on a platform of affordability and lowering taxes, has seized on the sentiment, casting health coverage for immigrants without legal status as deeply unfair and a direct threat to the state’s ability to help citizens.
-
So far this year, 17 tons of illicit drugs, mostly cocaine, have been seized in the Pacific region – more than three times the total across the whole of last year, according to the Australian Federal Police.
Verb
-
Bass’ absence from the city soon caught the eye of right-wingers, with Spencer Pratt, who ran against her in the nonpartisan primary election, and Steve Hilton, who is running for governor, among those critiquing her.
-
Prefab kits and plug-in infrared units have brought entry prices lower than most people expect, though hidden costs like electrical upgrades and ventilation still catch buyers off guard.
Verb
-
As law enforcement officials arrived and surrounded the library, Sayer attempted to run out the back of the building but was quickly apprehended and taken into custody.
-
Earlier this year, two Serve Robotics machines were spotted blundering into the middle of a police incident while cops apprehended a man who appeared to be having a mental health crisis.
Verb
-
The Maple Leafs snatched up high-scoring Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh, a pending free agent, in a sign-and-trade for a fifth-round pick.
-
Miles helped the Lynx (11-3) make a strong push for a spot in the Commissioner’s Cup championship, but the Las Vegas Aces snatched the final spot against the New York Liberty with a victory over Phoenix on Wednesday night.
Verb
-
When news spread that Keyla Vazquez-Zuniga, a Southern Connecticut State University nursing student, had been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on March 31, fear moved quickly across campus.
-
Witnesses Say Victims Were Trapped Witnesses also described officers detaining the driver.
Cite this Entry
“Nab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nab. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
