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

Her creative efforts for the drive in included a 2020 showing of Willy Wonka and Chocolate Factory where golden tickets were hidden at local Cranford businesses and those that nabbed them earned free admission to the screening. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2026

At The Disco’s Brendon Urie, nabbed the Best Visual Effects award. — Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2026

The Phillies could also nab a spot in the playoffs if the Arizona Diamondbacks lose to the San Diego Padres Sunday afternoon. — Cbs News Philadelphia Staff, CBS News, 27 Sep. 2026

Alvarez managed to nab a foul pop-up behind the plate for the first out, but a fly ball to center field scored another run, and Abrams managed to get to third. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 26 Sep. 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