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
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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
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Recent Examples of nab
Madigan nabbed Critics' Choice and Actor Awards, while Taylor prevailed at the Globes and Mosaku won at the BAFTAs.
—
Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
The artificial septet also nabbed the trophy for worst supporting actor.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 14 Mar. 2026
But then The Housemaid nabbed nearly $400 million and got the producer-star a sequel.
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 13 Mar. 2026
Pictured left on Sea Hunt in 1958, Bridges won his first Oscar in 2010, nabbing the award for Best Actor for Crazy Heart.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nab
Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
The artificial septet also nabbed the trophy for worst supporting actor.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 14 Mar. 2026
But then The Housemaid nabbed nearly $400 million and got the producer-star a sequel.
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 13 Mar. 2026
Pictured left on Sea Hunt in 1958, Bridges won his first Oscar in 2010, nabbing the award for Best Actor for Crazy Heart.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nab
Verb
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They were arrested hours after the attack and later appeared in a Moscow court with signs of being severely beaten.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Mar. 2026
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According to Philadelphia police, Fanning, 60, was arrested for the assault Monday night on the 9600 block of Milnor Street in the city's Torresdale neighborhood.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Heo re-holstered his Taser, intending to apprehend Best by grabbing or tackling him, Prescott said.—
Kellie Love,
Hartford Courant,
9 Mar. 2026
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While the two men struggle with the jammed backdoor, Weisz’s character tosses them both a look before rushing toward the flames to grab her unfinished manuscript, written on legal pads, and dashing out of the cabin just in time.—
Meg Walters,
Glamour,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The game was largely back and forth after halftime, until the Jayhawks seized momentum late.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
13 Mar. 2026
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Other analysts, though, are more sanguine, reckoning that the allies can instead simply seize Iranian oil tankers.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This level of detail is needed for a robotic model to learn exact hand movements that cannot be caught by the standard human point of view.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
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Secure loose outdoor items and adjust plans as necessary so you're not caught outside.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The police were there to check the workers’ permits and IDs and apprehend anyone working illegally, and Nur was among those unfortunate Palestinians denied work permits for the Zionist market, either due to previous arrests for resisting the Occupation or because a relative had been arrested.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Mar. 2026
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Mahady Sacko was apprehended in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and charged.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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PlayMonster Spoons in a Case What better way to spend time together as a family or with loved ones on Easter than viciously snatching utensils from one another in a heated game of 'Spoons'?—
Chaunie Brusie,
Parents,
14 Mar. 2026
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Following Odsonne Édouard's second-half equalizer, Tosin snatched three points for Lorient in the 65th minute, fluffing his initial attempt before rounding the Lens goalkeeper to score.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Police later said four teenagers had been detained in a car near another synagogue in Rotterdam.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
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Federal immigration agents detained Khalil on March 8, 2025.—
Faith Bugenhagen,
Austin American Statesman,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nab. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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