as in seizes
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly
don't grab my arm like that
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 grabs
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
And then Rising walks away, grabs the iPad and motions for Mayer to join him.
—Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
With Arch Bug on their tails, and not knowing whether their son has hired their time-traveling gene, Henry grabs Julia at the last second and presses all of their hands to the stones at the same time.
—Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2025
But Henry grabs Julia at the last moment and presses all of their hands to the stones at once.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2025
Viral video of the incident shows Eilish leaving the stage and exchanging high-fives with fans when someone grabs her arm and tires to yank her into the crowd.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2025
Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic grabs a defensive rebound in the first half of a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Kia Center on December 27, 2023 in Orlando, Florida.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
In slow movements, each gunmetal gray robot grabs a towel by its corners, flattens it out, folds it twice, and deposits it into the basket.
—Billy Perrigo, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
When Krasinski grabs Carell's hand for a shake, Carell’s face lights up and the pair hug and pat each other’s backs.
—Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
Tom Bogert, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
The first Daytona up for grabs is a Reference 6239 from 1967.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2025
Not that there’s a whole lot of airtime still up for grabs; as NBC noted earlier this month, nearly all of its in-game NBA inventory was auctioned off during the spring upfront bazaar … although naturally the company is holding a percentage of units back to sell in the scatter market.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2025
The position was up for grabs again this week at practice.
—Aaron Johnson, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
Part of this is understandable, since there was a time in Earth’s history when the role of dominant primate was up for grabs.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 16 Oct. 2025
Two school board trustee seats are up for grabs in Kuna.
—Idaho Statesman, 15 Oct. 2025
Two council seats are up for grabs.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2025
Advertisement For all these reasons, Milei’s party is set to underperform in the midterms, where half the seats in the Chamber and a third in the Senate are up for grabs.
—Ian Bremmer, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
Never one to sit idly by, Danny grabs his NYPD shield and goes bulldozing his way to the crime scene.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
And then Rising walks away, grabs the iPad and motions for Mayer to join him.
—Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
With Arch Bug on their tails, and not knowing whether their son has hired their time-traveling gene, Henry grabs Julia at the last second and presses all of their hands to the stones at the same time.
—Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2025
But Henry grabs Julia at the last moment and presses all of their hands to the stones at once.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2025
Viral video of the incident shows Eilish leaving the stage and exchanging high-fives with fans when someone grabs her arm and tires to yank her into the crowd.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2025
Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic grabs a defensive rebound in the first half of a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Kia Center on December 27, 2023 in Orlando, Florida.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
In slow movements, each gunmetal gray robot grabs a towel by its corners, flattens it out, folds it twice, and deposits it into the basket.
—Billy Perrigo, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
When Krasinski grabs Carell's hand for a shake, Carell’s face lights up and the pair hug and pat each other’s backs.
—Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
Remaining unclaimed playoff spots The final two playoff spots in the Western Conference are up for grabs, with FC Dallas, Real Salt Lake, the Colorado Rapids and San Jose Earthquakes all stumbling towards the finish line.
—Tom Bogert, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
The first Daytona up for grabs is a Reference 6239 from 1967.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2025
Not that there’s a whole lot of airtime still up for grabs; as NBC noted earlier this month, nearly all of its in-game NBA inventory was auctioned off during the spring upfront bazaar … although naturally the company is holding a percentage of units back to sell in the scatter market.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2025
The position was up for grabs again this week at practice.
—Aaron Johnson, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
Part of this is understandable, since there was a time in Earth’s history when the role of dominant primate was up for grabs.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 16 Oct. 2025
Two school board trustee seats are up for grabs in Kuna.
—Idaho Statesman, 15 Oct. 2025
Two council seats are up for grabs.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2025
Advertisement For all these reasons, Milei’s party is set to underperform in the midterms, where half the seats in the Chamber and a third in the Senate are up for grabs.
—Ian Bremmer, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grabs
Verb
-
If Europe seizes this opportunity, quantum computing has the power to be a genuine differentiator for the continent, and shape our economy, and world, for the better.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
12 Oct. 2025
-
The Athletic’s Daniel Popper believes a trade could be on the horizon if neither back seizes the opportunity ahead.—
Andy Behrens,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The thefts, assaults, and rapes that resulted from these vices often went unpunished, as British commanders prioritized prosecuting the war over protecting civilians.—
Time,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Her arrest followed a months-long investigation into upwards of 40 thefts from a single Under Armour store in the Carlsbad Premium Outlets on Paseo del Norte.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
His grandfather, Leroy Hanlon, frustrated by this hesitancy, snatches the instrument out of Mike’s hand and carries out the deed himself.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Wednesday then rescues Pugsley as Gomez and Morticia arrive, but before the family can properly reunite, Isaac snatches Wednesday into his telekinetic grip, choking her.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
An attraction catches you off guard!—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
14 Oct. 2025
-
One that frequently catches my attention is meaning, or purpose.—
Amy Lindgren,
Twin Cities,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Draghi noted that Europe captures just 5% of global venture capital funds, while the US commands 52%.—
Jan Hammer,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
-
The video captures the them bending forward, flexing smoothly at the knees and hips, as well as lifting slightly off the ground in a motion that closely resembles a human warm-up exercise.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Better known for its sunnier festival galas at Cannes and Venice, amfAR lands in London for the first time on Friday night with a dinner and auction at the Chancery Rosewood hotel and local girl Joely Richardson on hosting duties.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Advertisement Covering a peaceful protest is not the same as covering a plane that lands safely.—
Nancy Gibbs,
Time,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Everyone gets better by having a player like that.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Vision Pro gets an upgrade, too.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grabs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grabs. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share