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

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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
There’s heat to be found in bites with salsa, dabs of hot sauce and, to a lesser degree, the seasoning of the chicken. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026 Most stains can be removed with a damp cloth and a dab of laundry detergent, dish soap, or a stain removal pen. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 9 Aug. 2026
Verb
First, dab excess oil or grease stains from the clothing with a clean cloth. — Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 5 July 2026 The former president's emotions were also on display when Michelle Obama asked him to look directly at her, and their daughters also dabbed their eyes with tissues. — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 18 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
  • Mayer had some early success with her jab, but Cameron increasingly took control as the fight progressed and landed the cleaner punches before hurting Mayer with a right hand in the eighth round.
    — Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • In 2025, a Kentucky man was killed after he was hit 27 times with a GLOVE by jail employees, on top of 13 jabs from a taser, which ultimately sent him into cardiac arrest.
    — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of jab
Noun
  • Danny Boyle adopts a similar strategy with this snazzy screen adaptation, shot through with kinetic energy, convulsive editing and a liberal sprinkling of post-punk, electro-pop and indie rock that thumbs its nose at period accuracy.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Her clothes are simple but bright, with sometimes a bit of shiny thread or a sprinkling of sequins; décolletage is a thing of the future.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of sprinkling
Noun
  • Her Oscars triumph was also the night of the notorious Will Smith-Chris Rock on-stage slap, which overshadowed coverage.
    — Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Broadwick’s pink front door spits you out slap-bang in the middle of it all like a tongue.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of slap
Noun
  • The high number is likely boosted by unusually warm water and the presence of an El Niño weather phenomenon with potentially historic rain for California, experts have said.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The page says the funds will be used only for legal expenses, including filings, transcripts, investigators and experts.
    — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of expert
Verb
  • People have gone from smearing the compound on their faces to using injections, in hopes of achieving firmer, wrinkle-free skin and other anti-aging benefits.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Aware of them now, the dog shakes loose the can—his forelock matted, his jowl smeared with beans—and shrinks into the trees with a whimper that makes something tighten in Molly’s own chest.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of smear
Verb
  • Use paper towels to pat the halibut cubes dry, then transfer to a medium bowl.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Drain and rinse a can of chickpeas and pat them dry (the key to getting them crispy).
    — Jennifer Berger, Verywell Health, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of pat
Noun
  • The Athletic examines what makes this type of punch special and why Garcia, who defends his WBC welterweight title against Conor Benn this weekend, is equipped with one of the most potent weapons in the sport.
    — Chris McKenna, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Guadagnino’s next stop is The Conformist (1970) swiftly followed by Last Tango in Paris (1972), the one-two punch that set him up as a major player in world cinema.
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of punch
Noun
  • Virginia supplied a cold splash of reality, holding Bailey to a career-low 84 yards in a 34-8 rout in Week 0.
    — The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The attraction first opened in 1994 and became known for its steep drop and massive splash.
    — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of splash

Phrases Containing dab

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Cite this Entry

“Dab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dab. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dab

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