1
2
as in splashes
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 swipes
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 experts
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of dabs
Julie Belcove, Robb Report, 26 Oct. 2025
The 132 rooms have welcome dabs of color—royal blue desk chairs and headboards and pink and white curtains.
—Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 26 Sep. 2025
The venue hosts fun and educational events, such as crafting and game nights, where attendees can smoke vapes, eat edibles and do dabs.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 25 Sep. 2025
Its gifts today are beautification, recreation, shade, cleaner air and water, walking and biking paths, dabs of nature in the city, the enchanting sound of falling water, programs and events, and art.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2025
Noun
Among the other standouts are Klimt’s Blooming Meadow (1908)—a sea of green grass and trees flecked with blue, yellow, and pink dabs of wildflowers—and six figurative bronzes by Matisse.
—Julie Belcove, Robb Report, 26 Oct. 2025
The 132 rooms have welcome dabs of color—royal blue desk chairs and headboards and pink and white curtains.
—Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 26 Sep. 2025
The venue hosts fun and educational events, such as crafting and game nights, where attendees can smoke vapes, eat edibles and do dabs.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 25 Sep. 2025
Its gifts today are beautification, recreation, shade, cleaner air and water, walking and biking paths, dabs of nature in the city, the enchanting sound of falling water, programs and events, and art.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dabs
Verb
-
The five pieces offer, in turn, biomorphic hints of de Kooning, the ragged shapes of Clyfford Still, the bold geometries of Ellsworth Kelly, the paint smears of Gerhard Richter, and something that looks like toothpaste squeezed onto an orange peel.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
22 Dec. 2025
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Teachers Union leader Randi Weingarten smears Trump voters as fascists!—
The Hill,
The Hill,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Think mid-century diner vibes, 70s flower power patterns, vintage advertisements, old-school movie posters, or anything that taps into collective nostalgia.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Political without being didactic, the film taps into contemporary anxieties around immigration, power and resistance, delivering tension, spectacle and emotional weight in equal measure.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Think Judd Apatow flicks with Steve Carell and Seth Rogen, or sitcoms starring Charlie Sheen.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Like a true professional, the actor quickly flicks the photo and extinguishes the blaze without ever breaking character — despite internally freaking out — to nail the perfect shot.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The clip, shared by Sarah Ingle (@saraheingle), a dedicated dog fosterer, shows seven-month-old Cookie Crisps nestled in her arms while Ingle gently pats her bottom.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
As a matter of fact, pats on the back are probably very few and far between.—
Nour Rahal,
Freep.com,
10 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The episode officially anoints a new captain for the 118 — and sees Harry considering a life fighting fires.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
14 Nov. 2025
-
The Swedish institution often anoints writers who metabolize their specific histories into memorable language that stretches beyond borders and governments, transcending regional particulars.—
Walt Hunter,
The Atlantic,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Poor Indigenous, Black, the people from the favelas, when the police go there and kill 120 people there, and the population basically claps and thinks that that’s great.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
2 Dec. 2025
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Legacy is made from the small, repeatable disciplines no one claps for, but everyone benefits from.—
Cody Bjugan,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The mistake immediately tips Nathan off to the romantic relationship brewing between Rebecca and the geologist.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
28 Dec. 2025
-
The new map tips the scale toward Republicans in five districts, including Veasey’s.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Chalamet crawls out of the weird-for-the-sake-of-being-weird chamber and chucks the helmet to the ground, displaying his now shaven head.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dabs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dabs. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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