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2
as in sprinkling
a very small amount
she added a dab of sesame oil to the dressing before pouring it on the salad
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in slap
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
a bear can knock a man down with a simple dab of his paw
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in expert
a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field
a dab at finding unappreciated collectibles and reselling them at a considerable profit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of dab
Ew Staff, EW.com, 20 Mar. 2025
In actuality, everything — unbeknownst to him — was ridiculously staged in a pitch-perfect reality TV parody, as comedy improv actors like David Hornsby and pre-Saturday Night Live Kristen Wiig would put Gould smack dab in the middle of absurd situation after absurd situation.
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 20 Mar. 2025
Andy Andersen, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
After a good bottle shake, pump three to six drops into the palms of your hands then dab onto skin, or mix it in straight with your moisturizer—dealer’s choice.
—Deanna Pai, Vogue, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dab
Noun
In actuality, everything — unbeknownst to him — was ridiculously staged in a pitch-perfect reality TV parody, as comedy improv actors like David Hornsby and pre-Saturday Night Live Kristen Wiig would put Gould smack dab in the middle of absurd situation after absurd situation.
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 20 Mar. 2025
In actuality, everything — unbeknownst to him — was ridiculously staged in a pitch-perfect reality TV parody, as comedy improv actors like David Hornsby and pre-Saturday Night Live Kristen Wiig would put Gould smack dab in the middle of absurd situation after absurd situation.
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
But then Sherry gets up to sing with her rosary beads in hand, and Ray can’t dab a tear from his face in handcuffs.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
After a good bottle shake, pump three to six drops into the palms of your hands then dab onto skin, or mix it in straight with your moisturizer—dealer’s choice.
—Deanna Pai, Vogue, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dab
Verb
-
Avoid insecticides, greasy oils, or petroleum jelly smeared near the feeder that can coat hummingbird feathers.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
18 May 2025
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Though the moment is smeared in dramatic score, a dull clanging pierces through; the EMTs can’t get the gurney wheels to glide out of the doorway.—
Madison Bloom,
Pitchfork,
16 May 2025
Verb
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Afterward, wash the cleanser off with lukewarm water and pat dry with a clean towel.4 Some people with sensitive skin find that cleansing with water in the morning is sufficient, and over-cleansing with products can irritate their skin.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
15 May 2025
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Using paper towels, pat your chicken dry (no need to rinse it first).—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 May 2025
Verb
-
In one group of anoles, the researchers daubed the reptiles’ snouts and heads (avoiding the nostrils) with a thin layer of emollient to prevent air bubbles from adhering to the anoles’ heads.—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN,
17 Sep. 2024
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Their victorious players meander over, gathering in front of a chainlink fence draped with handmade banners daubed in the dark green and deep burgundy of Mohun Bagan, India’s great footballing powerhouse.—
Rory Smith,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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That was what Patricio Wise was also trying to tap into as one of seven competitors in the burger battle and fundraiser organized by the American River Parkway Foundation.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
18 May 2025
-
His primary instruction for those trying to tap into their psychic power is to concentrate.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2025
Verb
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The creamy, fast-absorbing texture leaves skin feeling plump and deeply nourished, while its luxe formula firms and restores a youthful glow—perfect of slathering on after a long day in the sun.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
6 May 2025
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In my opinion, the One True Way to enjoy a knish properly is to slice one open lengthwise, slather a layer of deli mustard in between the two halves then close everything up and eat it like a sandwich.—
Deb Amlen,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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As David’s hands neared the shoes, the stool tipped and then flipped.—
Jason Quick,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
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The indictment says an off-duty law enforcement officer tipped Lam on Sept. 18 that authorities were on their way to arrest Lam at his Miami rental home.—
Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
15 May 2025
Verb
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Even so, between 75 and 100 fans still pack two floors of the Playwright Irish Pub in midtown Manhattan, where the walls of one room are plastered with Madrid memorabilia.—
Tomás Hill López-Menchero,
New York Times,
14 May 2025
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There were reminders plastered everywhere to stay 6 feet apart.—
Mary Frances Ruskell,
CNN Money,
2 May 2025
Verb
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Garnish with a mint sprig, clapped gently between your hands to release the oils.—
Jason O'Bryan,
Robb Report,
10 May 2025
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Old-timers from the neighborhood sit around reading or gossiping, clapping along to whatever music is playing on the system, often at volumes so loud that Coopersmith and his guys have to shout to each other while pricing records.—
Shauna Lyon,
New Yorker,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dab. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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