1
as in complaining
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
their two-year-old whined and crabbed for the whole car trip
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in damaging
to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of
crabbed the blossoming romance by becoming moody and demanding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of crabbing
As the crabbing season gains momentum, Maryland watermen are grappling with a surge in operational expenses, led by high fuel prices that are forcing them to pass rising costs on to consumers.
—
Tessa Bentulan, Baltimore Sun, 9 June 2026
The Broncos chose to be strategic, their offseason a laser, not a crabbing net.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
My days were spent successfully hunting for sand dollars and starfish with my sister, crabbing along the Kiawah River, and keeping my eyes peeled for alligators maneuvering between lagoons.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2026
Corpus Christi lessons Joey Palermo also lives along the shore and does his share of fishing, crabbing and shrimping.
—Rebekah F. Ward, Houston Chronicle, 29 Mar. 2026
Remains found on a beach in southwestern Washington in 2006 have been identified through DNA analysis as a former Oregon mayor who authorities think drowned while crabbing.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 15 Jan. 2026
Officials believed Rajaniemi was alone and had been crabbing in the area, a Coast Guard official told The Press Democrat.
—Sacbee.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Fewer people are working in the industry each year, said Duarte, and crabbing is a difficult industry with a short season, and costly upkeep for boats and traps.
—Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2025
Tessa Bentulan, Baltimore Sun, 9 June 2026
The Broncos chose to be strategic, their offseason a laser, not a crabbing net.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
My days were spent successfully hunting for sand dollars and starfish with my sister, crabbing along the Kiawah River, and keeping my eyes peeled for alligators maneuvering between lagoons.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2026
Corpus Christi lessons Joey Palermo also lives along the shore and does his share of fishing, crabbing and shrimping.
—Rebekah F. Ward, Houston Chronicle, 29 Mar. 2026
Remains found on a beach in southwestern Washington in 2006 have been identified through DNA analysis as a former Oregon mayor who authorities think drowned while crabbing.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 15 Jan. 2026
Officials believed Rajaniemi was alone and had been crabbing in the area, a Coast Guard official told The Press Democrat.
—Sacbee.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Fewer people are working in the industry each year, said Duarte, and crabbing is a difficult industry with a short season, and costly upkeep for boats and traps.
—Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crabbing
Verb
-
The amplifying of complaining subcontractors, always easy to find.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
14 June 2026
-
But many Spotify users voiced displeasure at the change-up, with some complaining that the disco ball looked pixelated on a small phone screen and, generally, was visually displeasing.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Overnight, Russian forces launched hundreds of missiles and drones across Ukraine, killing at least 14 people and damaging energy infrastructure, Ukrainian officials said.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
19 Aug. 2025
-
When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging wind gusts, storm surge, and tornadoes extend well away from the center of the storm.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Police said officers were dispatched after a caller reported hearing a woman screaming inside an apartment.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
-
Robert De Niro said later in a speech, encouraging the screaming crowd to repeat it back.—
Kenneal Patterson,
Vanity Fair,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
An optional front rack on both models adds instant utility without marring the retro-fantastic looks.—
William Roberson,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Well, certainly a lot of whining about technology.—
Inga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 June 2026
-
The driver is seen singing happily to himself, then glancing out his window with a slight look of concern as the sound of the jet’s whining engines begins on the recording.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
History shows democratic societies periodically require moral correction when economic systems begin injuring people faster than institutions can protect them.—
Tom Debley,
Mercury News,
16 June 2026
-
Daniella and Castro admitted to injuring a corporal officer by dislocating his shoulder, per the outlet.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
The stuff with a load of people wearing wigs moaning about taxes just isn’t seen as very glamorous.—
Sean Woods,
Rolling Stone,
25 May 2026
-
There are kerfuffles down at the hardware store, and a moaning moose makes his presence known near the motel where Ulysses is staying.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Stanton, plagued by a long list of lower-body injuries since joining the Yankees, hasn’t played since hurting his calf in Houston on April 24.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
13 June 2026
-
Together, the friends weave intricate webs of multi-player strategy just to avoid hurting someone else’s feelings.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crabbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crabbing. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
