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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
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Recent Examples of dab
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 17 Mar. 2025
Add a dab of toothpaste to 1-2 T of water.
—Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 17 Mar. 2025
Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 18 Feb. 2025
Get this look created by Jasmine Allen at home by applying a milky white base to nails, and carefully dab on a hazy aura motif in your gradient choice of sunny yellows using a disposable sponge.
—Karina Hoshikawa, Refinery29, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dab
Noun
Copper Dull copper pieces can be shined by using a dry cloth and a dab of toothpaste.
—Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 17 Mar. 2025
Add a dab of toothpaste to 1-2 T of water.
—Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
Target your pulse points, ideally the wrists and neck, or dabbing from the wrists onto the neck.
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 18 Feb. 2025
Get this look created by Jasmine Allen at home by applying a milky white base to nails, and carefully dab on a hazy aura motif in your gradient choice of sunny yellows using a disposable sponge.
—Karina Hoshikawa, Refinery29, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dab
Verb
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They were usually surrounded by toddlers, soiling their pull-ups while smeared with frosting.—
Dan Ewen,
Deadline,
18 Apr. 2025
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Coogler opens with traumatized sharecropper Sammie (impressive newcomer Miles Caton), smeared with blood and fresh claw marks gouged into the side of his face, staggering mid-service into the church where his father preaches, clutching his guitar.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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After being mobbed by his team-mates, Van Dijk patted the badge on his shirt in front of the Kop and then planted a kiss on it, to rapturous acclaim.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
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Cue chill Schmidt, patting away on his handheld drum without a care in the world.—
Isabella Milano,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
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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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Athletes Unlimited named Kim Ng their first commissioner of Athletes Unlimited Softball League last week tapping into Ng’s vast experience as a general manager and trail blazer in the MLB.—
Allison Smith,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
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Rice was quick to tap the next corner in to Odegaard before getting the return pass.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
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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
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Spicy brown mustard and a little pickle relish join forces with mayonnaise to make this salad perfect for slathering onto your favorite bread or scooping onto crackers.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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First round playoff action begins Saturday with the NBA Finals scheduled to tip off on June 5.—
Kevin Dotson,
CNN Money,
19 Apr. 2025
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And while Andrews is excited at the prospect of playing under Rice, the inclusion of Burns in the call might be what tipped the scales for him.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The walls of the grand salon are plastered in a bespoke palm-frond motif by Stefan Mocanu.—
Alice Cavanagh,
Architectural Digest,
21 Apr. 2025
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Pennoyer added gentle vaults to the sides of the entry gallery’s plastered ceiling, which Cathey then had lacquered, commissioning églomisé artist Miriam Ellner to decorate the glass panels of the central lantern.—
Andrew Sessa,
Architectural Digest,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Why are the fans suddenly clapping that odd rhythm in unison?—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
15 Apr. 2025
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He was also seen as a member of the audience clapping along while Jack Black danced through the crowd during last week's monologue.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
13 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dab. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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