as in snatching
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly
don't grab my arm like that
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Recent Examples of grabbing
One person in a Gerrit Cole jersey threw a nasty right hook after grabbing someone from behind.
—
Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2026
Former Mayor Bill de Blasio similarly drew ridicule when he was caught using a knife and fork to eat pizza instead of grabbing the slice with his hands like any real New Yorker paisano would.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026
The Cybertruck’s angular design was divisive, and the attention-grabbing vehicle occasionally became the target of ridicule and vandalism when a backlash against Musk swelled last year.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
Just typical power-grabbing Idaho lawmaker chicanery, right?
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 16 Apr. 2026
Following his December 2025 firing, Moore was later accused of driving to the staffer's home, grabbing butter knives and threatening suicide.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
She was accused of grabbing one of her family members in a chokehold, according to an arrest affidavit.
—Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
He is then seen slowly approaching the victim, checking his surroundings, and removing his shoes before grabbing her from behind.
—Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
Reaves, meanwhile, spent much of the first quarter grabbing at his back.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2026
Former Mayor Bill de Blasio similarly drew ridicule when he was caught using a knife and fork to eat pizza instead of grabbing the slice with his hands like any real New Yorker paisano would.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026
The Cybertruck’s angular design was divisive, and the attention-grabbing vehicle occasionally became the target of ridicule and vandalism when a backlash against Musk swelled last year.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
Just typical power-grabbing Idaho lawmaker chicanery, right?
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 16 Apr. 2026
Following his December 2025 firing, Moore was later accused of driving to the staffer's home, grabbing butter knives and threatening suicide.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
She was accused of grabbing one of her family members in a chokehold, according to an arrest affidavit.
—Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
He is then seen slowly approaching the victim, checking his surroundings, and removing his shoes before grabbing her from behind.
—Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
Reaves, meanwhile, spent much of the first quarter grabbing at his back.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grabbing
Verb
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The suspects — Mihail Alexandru, 20, Versalona Nicu, 26, and Mihaela Alexandru, 23 — are accused of snatching necklaces from victims, according to police.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
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North Carolina, Arizona and Florida are also snatching away companies.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Denver Post,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Road closures have been seizing the country’s leafy capital, as vans disgorge military style kit bags and American personnel to match at top hotels.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
19 Apr. 2026
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Human Rights Watch said authorities have taken sweeping steps to curb religious practice, including tearing down churches and crosses, blocking gatherings at unregistered churches and seizing religious materials not approved by the state.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The designs are eye catching and beautiful, inspired by South Florida's beaches and ocean water.—
Najahe Sherman,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
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With offensive coordinator Brad Idzik taking over play-calling, the Panthers have a much more pressing need for pass-catching playmakers than backfield bodies.—
Mike Kaye
April 14,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On Thursday, April 16, 2026, jurors were shown surveillance footage and audio from inside Horner’s delivery truck, including portions capturing Athena’s final moments before her death, PEOPLE previously reported.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
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Neville took his cameras behind the scenes at 30 Rock’s Studio 8H during multiple production weeks, capturing the frenzy of pitch meetings, writing night, table reads and dress rehearsals.—
Rebecca Keegan,
NBC news,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Best Amazon Garden and Outdoor Deals Embrace the warmer weather by getting your outdoor space situated.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The first is that the élite obsession with shaping national politics, and with getting candidates elected, is a distraction.—
Emma Green,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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An Emirates Boeing 777 aircraft prepares for landing as a smoke plume rises from an ongoing fire near Dubai International Airport in Dubai on March 16, 2026.—
Emma Graham,Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
21 Apr. 2026
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Hamilton described his version as landing somewhere between Senegalese and Ghanaian, cooked in a slurry of roasted red peppers, tomatoes and onions, delicately spiced and with a whisper of smoke.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Give yourself extra protection against the possibility of being pickpocketed by snagging Quince’s Excursion Italian Leather Messenger Bag before your next trip.—
Michelle Baricevic,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Apr. 2026
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Wayfair’s huge Tax Refund Sale has loads of unmissable deals worth snagging, including indoor and outdoor furniture and warm-weather bedding.—
Jacquelyn McGilvray,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grabbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grabbing. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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