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
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Recent Examples of dabs
Jazmine Hughes, Allure, 24 Mar. 2026
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
The only thing missing is a few dabs of the extra-potent salsa made with chile Yahualica.
—Cesar Hernandez, San Francisco Chronicle, 27 Oct. 2022
Noun
Tokyo Stylez, Cardi’s hairstylist, brushes out a sleek brown hairpiece, and Erika la’ pearl, her makeup artist, dabs at Cardi’s face while the rapper scrolls through her phone, controlling the music.
—Jazmine Hughes, Allure, 24 Mar. 2026
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
The only thing missing is a few dabs of the extra-potent salsa made with chile Yahualica.
—Cesar Hernandez, San Francisco Chronicle, 27 Oct. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dabs
Noun
-
The candidates themselves seemed low-energy, even with their jabs — which were largely directed at Becerra, as Mark said.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
-
During a debate on April 28 hosted by CBS, candidates discussed everything from health care to the Golden State’s home insurance crisis and consistently took jabs at one another.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Add a few more splashes of the reserved hot water.—
Karla Walsh,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
-
Perennials are a great way to spruce up your garden and add splashes of greenery to your landscape.—
Adrienne Jordan,
Martha Stewart,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Take a clean, dry microfiber cloth and wipe down the shower tiles, working in long swipes.—
Maria Sabella,
The Spruce,
18 May 2026
-
The ad was filled with references blending the show and his campaign, including swipes at incumbent Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
That increases polarization and can lead to gridlock in Congress, according to experts.—
Ashley Wu,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
Data center projects are likely to migrate to parts of Europe with lower power costs, creating winners and losers across the continent, the experts said.—
April Roach,Joseph Wilkins,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
This chilling, starkly beautiful ambient piece draws Nebraska’s marginal whispers to the forefront and smears them across the picture plane.—
Sasha Geffen,
Pitchfork,
10 Mar. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Completes his own 360 spin, but taps the wall with his left-front, damaging his car’s left steering arm.—
Alex Kalinauckas,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
-
Some recipes include orange juice and peach preserves, but ours taps pineapple juice for brightness and sweetness.—
Jasmine Smith,
Southern Living,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
In the lightweight division, Salahdine Parnasse (23-2) defeated Kenneth Cross (17-5) in the first round after landing a flurry of punches and dominating him early.—
Eduard Cauich,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
-
There were more hugs after the fight between the two than punches landed, and, in total, far more time clocked during those hugs than the fight itself.—
Sean Joseph OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
My grandmother’s version typically called just for the addition of generous sprinklings of Lawry’s garlic salt and black pepper—and that’s it.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
5 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dabs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dabs. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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