GRABBING Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

grabbing

verb

present participle of grab

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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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 grabbing San Martin was also tasked with grabbing the cash tray, which contained $17,000. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026 The question of how law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services will be affected by these potential tax cuts have fueled headline-grabbing debates across the state. — Marissa J. Lang, NPR, 30 Oct. 2026 The video then shows Parra Hernandez on the ground and grabbing his leg, yelling in pain. — Anna Wilder, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026 At one point, the hand in the video — in which Pasic’s black-and-gold pinky ring was clearly visible — appeared to make a more furtive grabbing move. — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026 The acrobatic routine rushed to a conclusion with Johnson grabbing Shum and ripping off his tie, sending the actor crashing to the ground, convulsing, as each attempt to get up was met by his partner repeatedly shoving him down with her foot. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2026 All these headline-grabbing events earned him praise from his boss and fellow Republicans. — Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026 Davis confessed to taking mushrooms, grabbing a gun, and shooting at random people in South Beach. — Anna McAllister, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026 Edwards was seen grabbing his knee with a grimace at one point Sunday during the home opener. — ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grabbing

Verb

This tour represents Brooks’ latest effort to push back against music industry headwinds — specifically, spiraling ticket prices and bots or brokers snatching up prime tickets during onsales before fans have access.

— Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2026
Running around snatching pythons out of the jungle isn't my idea of fun, but someone has to do it.

— Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of snatching

Verb

Peltola is a gun-owning, fish-catching Alaska-bush native, who has worked for mines and supports oil drilling, and is allied with the state’s largest labor unions.

— Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
But for audiences outside North America, catching Nathan Fielder’s three-hour documentary about disgraced Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes — now expected to be a major player in awards season — has become a frustrating waiting game.

— Alex Ritman, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of catching

Verb

Developed by engineers at the University of Pennsylvania, the system, called Fast Feature Field (F³), processes information from event cameras, which detect changes in light rather than capturing conventional images.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026
The latest season, currently being aired, depicts a fictional Chinese intelligence agency capturing and torturing some of the Japanese spies.

— Reuters, NBC news, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of capturing

Verb

Now, Tan-Gillespie is tasked with getting KFC’s American business back on track as the brand faces growing competition paired with more health-conscious and cash-strapped consumers.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Before Rover, success meant getting promotions, landing bigger clients and climbing the corporate ladder.

— Sally Simmons, Contributor, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of getting

Verb

Although landing a roster spot at a major college is a noteworthy achievement under any circumstances, Bryan faces steep odds.

— Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
Starship's development also has implications for NASA's Artemis program, which has contracted SpaceX to develop a modified Ship upper stage capable of landing astronauts on the surface of the moon.

— Josh Dinner, Space.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of landing

Browse Nearby Words

grabbed

grabbing

grabble

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“Grabbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grabbing. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of grabbing

verb

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