grab 1 of 2

grab

2 of 2

noun

as in theft
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 & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

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

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 grab
Verb
For a cohesive look, grab this set of matching kitchen towels. Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025 But beyond headline-grabbing transactions, actual deal-flow has been flat — a sign that barriers linked to trade and geopolitics remain in place. Pamela Barbaglia, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
While Horford, Curry, and future Hall of Famers Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green are all likely to start for the Warriors, the team's fifth and final starting role remains up for grabs. Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025 But the content, murky and misleading, is designed to trick Californians into voting for a power grab. Laura Koval, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for grab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grab
Verb
  • Both cars washed up the track; Elliott committed to the bottom, cleared them, and snatched the win - and with it, an automatic berth into the next Playoff round.
    Alex Harrington, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
  • As usual, Snout the weasel was sneaking around, looking for an opportunity to snatch everyone’s food.
    Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Online court records indicated to investigators that Arfsten was released on bail in a felony theft case at the time of the South Milwaukee incident.
    Erik S. Hanley, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Some of the commandments overlap with criminal law, such as prohibitions on murder and theft, but others do not.
    Jessie Balmert, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The man reported to the Sheriff’s Office he had been scammed; the Sheriff’s Office then obtained a warrant and seized $14,120 from the ATM.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Failing to seize the narrative, the authorities shifted course and began erasing the record from public memory.
    Yangyang Cheng, NPR, 4 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • But the chick-snatching wasn't all terror and crib robbery, Parker stressed.
    Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Information that was missing also caught the attention of the experts Joan consulted.
    Shaun McKinnon, AZCentral.com, 30 Sep. 2025
  • During a two-point conversion play, Jennings caught the ball in the endzone, but was smashed between two Jaguars defenders.
    James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The goal is to get a congress of 15, with at least eight members coming from Cincinnati's homeless shelters and seven representing people who live outdoors or in temporary housing.
    Elizabeth B. Kim, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Jonathan Taylor got the three touchdowns but was hardly explosive on a down-to-down basis.
    Michael Salfino, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Against unrelenting machine gunfire, Wilson and his unit captured a strategically important hill, then pushed forward, even though he had been wounded multiple times, according to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
    Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The flagship offers an expansive collection of wallcoverings, rugs, furniture, and more, and aims to capture the welcoming, gracious environment the brand is known for while signaling its evolution.
    Sydney Gore, Architectural Digest, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Somehow, after the plane landed though before Andrés and Daria reached the taxi stand, Daria’s wallet went missing.
    Catherine Lacey, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Keiko Agena had small roles on shows like Sister, Sister, Felicity and Beverly Hills, 90210 before landing the role of Rory Gilmore's best friend, Lane.
    Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grab. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on grab

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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