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

Simultaneously, Lefty nabs her first career appearance on the Billboard Global Excl. — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026

For the best seat in the house, try to nab a spot on the top floor of the charming circular stone building. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 July 2026

An hour and a half later, a correctional officer from Montana nabbed 49-year-old Sophie Dennison-Gibby. — Matt Viser, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026

The Giants would’ve had a shot at nabbing Arozarena at second, but shortstop Willy Adames was late covering the bag and Arozarena dove safely into second without a throw. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 19 July 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