1
2
as in sprinkling
a very small amount
she added a dab of sesame oil to the dressing before pouring it on the salad
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in slap
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
a bear can knock a man down with a simple dab of his paw
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in expert
a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field
a dab at finding unappreciated collectibles and reselling them at a considerable profit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dab
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 17 Mar. 2025
Mina helps Ray clean a big old dab of sauce from the corner of his mouth.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Most of the food scenes on my list occur at the ends of the stories, but here food sets the story into motion: Mitsuko blitzes shrimp, eggs, flour, and honey in a food processor, drops the mixture into a skillet, dabs everything with soy sauce, and folds the batter gradually.
—Adam Roberts
may 20, Literary Hub, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dab
Noun
Copper Dull copper pieces can be shined by using a dry cloth and a dab of toothpaste.
—Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 17 Mar. 2025
Mina helps Ray clean a big old dab of sauce from the corner of his mouth.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
In particular, vaping and dabbing were most popular among young adults aged 18–24 years.
—Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Most of the food scenes on my list occur at the ends of the stories, but here food sets the story into motion: Mitsuko blitzes shrimp, eggs, flour, and honey in a food processor, drops the mixture into a skillet, dabs everything with soy sauce, and folds the batter gradually.
—Adam Roberts
may 20, Literary Hub, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dab
Verb
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In extreme cases, some parents will threaten to smear the therapist's name, leave bad reviews, complain to the licensing board, or even threaten the therapist’s physical safety.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
23 June 2025
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The assertion by certain anonymous users online is a typically out-of-context and absurd effort to create fake news for clicks and to smear.—
Chloe Mayer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
Verb
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Washington isn't patting itself on the back following a deep postseason run.—
Geoffrey Knox,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
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Test Kitchen Tip: When preparing meats sous vide, for optimal browning and texture, pat the sous vide protein dry with paper towels.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 June 2025
Verb
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On the front steps, insults daubed in spray paint were directed at both Mayor Karen Bass and President Trump.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
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In one group of anoles, the researchers daubed the reptiles’ snouts and heads (avoiding the nostrils) with a thin layer of emollient to prevent air bubbles from adhering to the anoles’ heads.—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN,
17 Sep. 2024
Verb
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For its fourth studio album, Flowers (out June 27 on Dead Oceans), the trio of Jones, Aaron Frazer and Blake Rhein is tapping its own history for a sound that melds the members’ individual influences.—
Taylor Mims,
Billboard,
23 June 2025
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These seven companies both reflect U.S. strength in Big Tech and tap into major trends like AI.—
Cecilia Hult,
Fortune,
23 June 2025
Verb
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Now head northeast to Memphis, birthplace of rock ‘n roll and some rockin’ pork ribs slathered in a sauce with sweet and sour notes, blended in pitch perfect harmony.—
Catharine Kaufman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 June 2025
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While slathering yourself with oil and laying out in the sun is highly (and rightfully) frowned upon in the beauty community, there is one type of oil that dermatologists stand by: the best SPF tanning oils.—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
24 June 2025
Verb
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The fact Miami is a non-European participant against the backdrop of European clubs tipped to dominate accentuates that point.—
Henry Flynn,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
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President Donald Trump's economic agenda, particularly the imposition of tariffs on dozens of American trading partners, has sparked fears that the economy will tip into a recession, marked by weak growth, job losses and further inflation.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
Verb
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Many of the walls are plastered with chukum, a protective resin used by the ancient Mayans that adds a wispy texture to the concrete.—
David Shortell,
Travel + Leisure,
22 June 2025
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Posters are plastered around the city and ads line the tube (the London subway), but there’s one creative decision that may be doing a better job at marketing the show than anyone imagined, luring hundreds of spectators to the London Palladium every night.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
20 June 2025
Verb
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People did not seem especially enthusiastic in clapping for him, but the crowd was willing to give it up for New York City.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
17 June 2025
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Listen to this article On a recent Saturday, Sketchbook Brewing Company’s Evanston taproom was filled to standing-room capacity by an enthusiastic crowd that clapped and danced along to performances of music by Christina Aguilera, Avril Lavigne, Lady Gaga and more.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
16 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dab. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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