nab

verb

ˈnab 

nabbed; nabbing

transitive verb

1

: to catch or seize in arrest : apprehend

2

: to seize suddenly

Synonyms of nab

• arrest
• seize
• grab
• apprehend
• detain

Examples of nab in a Sentence

We nabbed seats in the front row of the theater.

the officer nabbed the purse snatcher before he could escape

Recent Examples on the Web

In 19 minutes, Leons grabbed two offensive rebounds, scored 11 points, had four assists and nabbed three steals. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 4 July 2026

Any python-nabbing excursion requires adequate prep work to ensure everyone stays safe—and actually hunts the proper animals. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 July 2026

Head to Amazon to nab Laura Geller’s Rose Glow Spackle Primer and the rest of Drescher’s awards night glam below. — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 27 June 2026

The year was 1966, when the then-15-year-old high school sophomores had just nabbed a record contract after winning a battle of the bands at a Des Plaines drive-in theater. — Chris Placek, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

perhaps alteration of English dialect nap

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for nab

• ab
• cab
• crab
• dab
• drab
• fab
• gab
• grab
• jab
• lab
• mab
• rab

Kids Definition

nab

verb

ˈnab 

nabbed; nabbing

1

: to seize and take into custody : arrest

2

: to seize suddenly

especially : steal entry 1 sense 2a