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
France is home to UCF edge rusher Aymeric Koumba, specifically Bordeaux, which is smack dab in the middle of one of the best wine-making regions with award-winning vineyards. — Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 June 2026 The neighborhood/area Park Hyatt is smack dab in the center of District 1, steps from the Saigon Opera House. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Verb
Let the scent soak into your skin instead, or lightly dab your wrists together or dab your wrists to other pulse points. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 10 June 2026 Aniston was similarly touched by the revelation, reaching for a tissue to dab her eyes. — Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 3 June 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
  • They were controlled by two sets of levers, with plastic buttons that made the combatants throw left jabs and right uppercuts.
    — Jack Lang, New York Times, 5 July 2026
  • This response could be seen as a subtle jab at Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts and ESPN’s Chiney Ogwumike.
    — Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of jab
Noun
  • The finishing touch is a generous sprinkling of flaky salt around the cake's edge, just like a cocktail rim.
    — Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 5 July 2026
  • On Friday, a sprinkling of red Portugal jerseys dotted the ocean of yellow worn in support of Colombia and Ghana for a 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium.
    — PJ Green July 4, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
Definition of sprinkling
Noun
  • Gilla Band’s origins lie, improbably, in the legend of Fox’s pre-teen slap bass skills.
    — Laura Snapes, Pitchfork, 9 July 2026
  • John Oliver’s explosive three-episode arc on General Hospital started with a bang, and is going out with a slap.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 6 July 2026
Definition of slap
Noun
  • But this should be guided and individualized by the right expert in terms of counseling and determining both the risks and benefits of sports based on the cardiac diagnosis and type of sport engaged in by the athlete.
    — Nicole Williams, AJC.com, 6 July 2026
  • Sandy Baum, an expert in education finance with the Urban Institute, said the new loan limits are unreasonably low, but uncapped borrowing was a real problem and some restrictions are necessary.
    — Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of expert
Verb
  • The restaurant sources its birotes from Duran’s to make the open-face, bean and cheese-smeared breakfast sandwiches popular throughout Mexico.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
  • That slows down the process of multiple shockwaves merging into larger ones and allows the atmosphere to weaken the smaller shockwaves to smear out the sharp pressure change into a more gradual increase.
    — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 29 June 2026
Definition of smear
Verb
  • After unmolding, gently pat more cherry cookie crumbs on top.
    — Victoria Spencer, Martha Stewart, 3 July 2026
  • Been shooting some nice low scores in these last couple weeks outs here, so that’s something good to pat myself on the back.
    — Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2026
Definition of pat
Noun
  • Swap pumpkins for fruit-o’-lanterns, wrap crescent dough around hot dogs for mummy dogs and mix a batch of blood punch.
    — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 July 2026
  • The summer is still young, but travelers have already dealt with the seasonal one-two-three punch of extreme weather, schedule disruptions and stressful flights.
    — Natalie B. Compton, Washington Post, 8 July 2026
Definition of punch
Noun
  • Homer Gere made a viral splash on the final season of Euphoria, but now the son of legendary actor Richard Gere is taking the lead for the first time.
    — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 14 July 2026
  • Once that became clear, Cashman pivoted to Stanton — hard and fast and perhaps even frantically — and made the big splash for the big man two weeks or so before Christmas.
    — Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 11 July 2026
Definition of splash

Phrases Containing dab

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czars
dab
dabbed
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Cite this Entry

“Dab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dab. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on dab

Nglish: Translation of dab for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dab

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