grab 1 of 2

grab

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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
The Pineapple Express actress allegedly grabbed and struck van Ree's arm in an altercation at a Seattle airport. Alex Gurley, People.com, 13 May 2025 When the lights came on after their recent performance at Manchester’s AO Arena, some fans lingered around to grab some confetti off the ground in remembrance of the night. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 12 May 2025
Noun
Veteran outfielder Mark Canha made a sliding grab in foul territory, a play that ended the Boston half of the third. Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 10 May 2025 This means that one of the most coveted seats in right-wing media is suddenly up for grabs. Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for grab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grab
Verb
  • This previous weekend was particularly nuts, with an older gentleman snatched from the streets of Paris' 14th arrondissement on May 1 by men in ski masks.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 7 May 2025
  • In October, Disney snatched the rights to the annual music awards show in a 10-year pact.
    Lynette Rice, Deadline, 7 May 2025
Noun
  • Here’s how Alcatraz earned its reputation Clarence and John’s last theft was of a tiny bank in Columbia, Alabama, the records show.
    Andy Rose, CNN Money, 11 May 2025
  • Sharp had a history of several arrests in burglaries and thefts of catalytic converters, according to the warrant.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • This time, the case moved forward alongside multiple simultaneous investigations and cases in other states, and in 2018, the federal government seized Backpage and it was taken down.
    Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 11 May 2025
  • The White House, with Vice President JD Vance’s experience in tech, should seize this moment to build a national AI strategy that does not leave the workers behind.
    Lynn Forester de Rothschild, Time, 11 May 2025
Verb
  • Yet octopuses have been caught performing incredible feats such as escaping aquarium tanks, solving puzzles, unscrewing jar lids and carrying shells as shields.
    Yasemin Saplakoglu, Wired News, 11 May 2025
  • In Barca’s 4-0 win in La Liga against Madrid at the Bernabeu in October, Madrid were caught offside 12 times.
    Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 11 May 2025
Verb
  • Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 21 May 2025
  • Shares of the company got a little boost from the interest signaled by the poison pill and gained 3.2 percent to $23.51 in premarket trading on Tuesday.
    Evan Clark, Footwear News, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • The attack left about 1,200 people dead, and militants captured Alexander and some 250 others to hold hostage. 'Greatest gift': Family of NJ's Edan Alexander heads to Israel as Hamas agrees to release How many hostages remain in Gaza?
    Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 13 May 2025
  • Though wildlife and awe-inspiring icebergs aren’t a focus for these itineraries, the trips do capture the educational and immersive feel of polar adventures, thanks in large part to the small size of most expedition ships.
    Chrissie McClatchie, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • But this also is a team that with the current Bam Adebayo-Tyler Herro core has landed in the play-in round the past three years, its last direct playoff entry not since 2022.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 17 May 2025
  • The $500 million expansion fee paid by the ownership group led by Mohamed Mansour and the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, blew away the previous MLS record of $325 million paid by David Tepper to land Charlotte FC.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • That same week at San Francisco’s Oracle Park, baseball fans could snag a ticket to watch the Rays face off against the Giants for $24, on a Friday night.
    Annika Merrilees, Sacbee.com, 12 May 2025
  • Following a leadoff bunt single by Koss in the ninth, Duran snagged a hard comebacker off the bat of Yastrzemski and started a critical 1-6-3 double play to thwart another potential San Francisco rally.
    Dan Hayes, New York Times, 11 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Grab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grab. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on grab

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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