grab 1 of 2

Definition of grabnext

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
Types of sets Variety sets of pool dive toys include different shapes and sizes, some of which are more challenging to grab or locate than others. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026 The officer grabbed the sweatshirt, which Fawn says was taken into evidence. Veronica Fulton, NBC news, 22 June 2026
Noun
On the ensuing corner kick, Suzuki deflected Alexander Isak’s header off the crossbar and into the air, eventually ending the scoring chance with a leaping grab in a crowd of players. ABC News, 25 June 2026 Residents of existing communities say driveways are too narrow, grab bars are missing and too many steps make daily life harder. Sofia Montoya-Deck, Baltimore Sun, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for grab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grab
Verb
  • The team continuously overcame double-digit fourth-quarter deficits to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
    Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2026
  • The last instance snatched just one seat in Congress from Democrats.
    Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • Residents say their reports of the theft — like their complaints of other crimes — go unheeded because their 2-year-old apartment building lies in a law enforcement no man’s land where no police agency has the power or resources to investigate and prosecute run-of-the-mill crime.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
  • The Travelon Anti-theft Classic Crossbody Bag, which is built with pickpocket-proof features to keep your valuables protected, is also on sale for 56 percent off, bringing its price down to just $34.
    Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • Hilton, running on a platform of affordability and lowering taxes, has seized on the sentiment, casting health coverage for immigrants without legal status as deeply unfair and a direct threat to the state’s ability to help citizens.
    Christine Mai-Duc, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
  • So far this year, 17 tons of illicit drugs, mostly cocaine, have been seized in the Pacific region – more than three times the total across the whole of last year, according to the Australian Federal Police.
    Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • Former Kansas City Councilwoman Joanne Collins was 89 when she was dragged to the ground during a March 2025 purse snatching.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026
  • Schuman now faces a felony count of robbery by sudden snatching in addition to three misdemeanors — one count of battery, one count of petit theft and one count of criminal mischief, court records show.
    Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • Bass’ absence from the city soon caught the eye of right-wingers, with Spencer Pratt, who ran against her in the nonpartisan primary election, and Steve Hilton, who is running for governor, among those critiquing her.
    Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026
  • Prefab kits and plug-in infrared units have brought entry prices lower than most people expect, though hidden costs like electrical upgrades and ventilation still catch buyers off guard.
    Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • The Property Brothers star, 48, got candid about previously letting his work bleed too much into his home life, to the point where his 4-year-old son, Parker, started noticing.
    Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 27 June 2026
  • The small island nation off the western coast of Africa, which is making its debut on soccer’s grandest stage, already held 2010 champion Spain to a 0-0 draw and then came from behind to get a 2-2 result against Uruguay.
    Kristie Rieken, AJC.com, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • Night is falling in Altadena as bats circle, peacocks wail and photographer Kevin Cooley tries to capture what’s left of a tree.
    Marah Eakin, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026
  • The new glasses can play music, translate languages and answer questions about a person’s surroundings by capturing images with the glasses’ cameras, like Meta’s Ray-Ban and Oakley glasses.
    Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • So, of course, the first pitch Peterson threw in his Cubs debut Saturday against the Milwaukee Brewers landed over the center-field wall.
    Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026
  • In a post Saturday on X, his friend Sheng Xue, a Chinese Canadian activist, said Dong had landed in Toronto following an Air Canada flight on Friday.
    ABC News, ABC News, 27 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grab. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on grab

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster