Thesaurus

grab

Q: How is the word 'grab' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of grab are clutch , grasp , seize , snatch , and take . While all these words mean "to get hold of by or as if by catching up with the hand," grab implies more roughness or rudeness than snatch . // grabbed roughly by the arm

Q: When can 'clutch' be used instead of 'grab'?

Although the words clutch and grab have much in common, clutch suggests avidity or anxiety in seizing or grasping and may imply less success in holding. // clutching her purse

Q: In what contexts can 'grasp' take the place of 'grab'?

In some situations, the words grasp and grab are roughly equivalent. However, grasp stresses a laying hold so as to have firmly in possession. // grasp the handle and pull

Q: Where would 'seize' be a reasonable alternative to 'grab'?

The words seize and grab can be used in similar contexts, but seize implies a sudden and forcible movement in getting hold of something tangible or an apprehending of something fleeting or elusive when intangible. // seized the suspect

Q: How do 'snatch' and 'seize' relate to one another, in the sense of 'grab'?

Snatch suggests more suddenness or quickness but less force than seize . // snatched a doughnut and ran

Q: When could 'take' be used to replace 'grab'?

The words take and grab are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, take is a general term applicable to any manner of getting something into one's possession or control. // take some salad from the bowl

verb

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Synonyms & Antonyms of grab

(Entry 1 of 2)

to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly

don't grab my arm like that

Synonyms for grab

bag,
capture,
catch,
collar,
cop
[slang],
corral,
get,
glom,
grapple,
hook,
land,
nab,
nail,
net,
nobble
[British slang],
rap,
seize,
snag,
snap (up),
snare,
snatch,
trap

Words Related to grab

bay,
corner

rend,
wrest

Phrases Synonymous with grab

take hold (of)

Near Antonyms for grab

Antonyms for grab

miss

grab

noun

Synonyms of grab (Entry 2 of 2)

an instance of theft

a political activist who thinks the government's lease of public lands to logging companies amounts to an illegal land grab

Synonyms for grab

Words Related to grab

Frequently Asked Questions About grab

How is the word grab different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of grab are clutch, grasp, seize, snatch, and take. While all these words mean "to get hold of by or as if by catching up with the hand," grab implies more roughness or rudeness than snatch.

grabbed roughly by the arm

When can clutch be used instead of grab?

Although the words clutch and grab have much in common, clutch suggests avidity or anxiety in seizing or grasping and may imply less success in holding.

clutching her purse

In what contexts can grasp take the place of grab?

In some situations, the words grasp and grab are roughly equivalent. However, grasp stresses a laying hold so as to have firmly in possession.

grasp the handle and pull

Where would seize be a reasonable alternative to grab?

The words seize and grab can be used in similar contexts, but seize implies a sudden and forcible movement in getting hold of something tangible or an apprehending of something fleeting or elusive when intangible.

seized the suspect

How do snatch and seize relate to one another, in the sense of grab?

Snatch suggests more suddenness or quickness but less force than seize.

snatched a doughnut and ran

When could take be used to replace grab?

The words take and grab are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, take is a general term applicable to any manner of getting something into one's possession or control.

take some salad from the bowl