dab 1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈdab How to pronounce dab (audio)
Definition of dabnext
1
as in jab
a quick thrust one more quick dab of the brush and he would be finished with his painting

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

dab

2 of 3

noun (2)

chiefly British
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

dab

3 of 3

verb

1
as in to smear

Related Words

Dissimilar Words
2
as in to pat

Related Words

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 dab
Noun
Dangbei rates it at 3,100 ISO lumens, which puts it pretty smack dab in the middle of projectors in this price range (MSRP is $1,999). — New Atlas, 15 Sep. 2026 Copper Dull copper pieces can be shined by using a dry cloth and a dab of toothpaste. — Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2026
Verb
To copy the 44-year-old actress, first dot the liner onto your face, then lightly dab a fingertip over the product for a more subtle effect. — Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026 First, dab excess oil or grease stains from the clothing with a clean cloth. — Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dab
  1. jab
  2. sprinkling
  3. slap
  4. expert
  5. smear
  6. pat
  7. punch
  8. splash
Noun
  • Tia, on her end, handled the ambush skillfully, parrying jabs without raising her voice to prevent Wendy from having any opening to feign victimization.
    — Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The final sprint to Tuesday's midterm elections has kicked up a flurry of headlines about attack ads slung by candidates and verbal jabs thrown by current and former occupants of the White House.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of jab
Noun
  • Special teams had had a sprinkling of errors — like the game-opening 81-yard kickoff return Miami allowed — hindered that unit’s performance each week.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026
  • As ever, the lineup is a mix of new features from Asia’s best auteurs, a sprinkling of Hollywood movies and projects from up-and-coming filmmakers.
    — Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of sprinkling
Noun
  • Communicating entirely through percussive movements and sounds and enough slaps to make the Three Stooges envious, the wild-haired creatures mainly seem to be auditioning for their own big-screen spin-off to compete with the Minions.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 3 Nov. 2026
  • During initial ride tests, mechanical chain slap and drivetrain vibrations echoed loudly through the structure, creating a persistent clattering that detracts from any quiet ride through nature.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of slap
Noun
  • Shane Hemphill is a landscape design expert and co-founder of Art of the Yard, a Denver company that specializes in water features and garden landscapes.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 8 Nov. 2026
  • The planes landed safely at Paris' Orly Airport and bomb disposal experts conducted inspections.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of expert
Verb
  • For months now, so much vitriol crept into our TVs, interrupting the Bears or your favorite college football team with a special message from a super PAC or a partisan looking to score points by smearing their opponents.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026
  • With a major election less than a week away, candidates and their consultants are pounding Floridians with a barrage of words — some intended to cast themselves in a flattering light, some intended to smear and degrade their opponents.
    — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of smear
Verb
  • Sprinkle salt mixture liberally all over turkey, patting to adhere.
    — Andy Baraghani, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Parents said the conversations mostly served as a hand-patting session rather than practical help.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of pat
Noun
  • The entire island took a serious one-two punch of a hurricane beating; residents managed without power for months, and without the livelihoods supported by the tourism industry for much longer.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Williams, who missed three games with a foot injury and hasn’t returned to the starting lineup since, is trusted to guard on the ball and gives the second unit a scoring punch with his hot-shooting start.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of punch
Noun
  • Against this monochrome, the lone splash of color, the little girl’s red coat, lands as one of the most devastating images in modern film.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Picture windows dominate the 30 ample rooms, which are pleasingly clad in unfinished wood and shocking splashes of lime.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of splash

Phrases Containing dab

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dab
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Cite this Entry

“Dab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dab. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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