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
Drew Pittock, USA Today, 28 May 2026
Davis grabs two suitcases off the belt, pulls out a handheld computer that looks like an extra-rugged iPad, and scans the bar codes on the luggage tags.
—Joel Rose, NPR, 26 May 2026
The clever tool is designed with a 46-inch wooden handle and a four-claw metal head and footbed that effectively penetrates soil, grabs weeds by their roots, and removes them in seconds.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 22 May 2026
At one point, in one of the videos, Kyle Busch grabs his son’s shoulders affectionately.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 22 May 2026
Flower sandals are one of those shoe styles that immediately grabs you.
—Rosana Lai, Glamour, 22 May 2026
Later that evening, Becka grabs a pair of gardening shears and finds her father asleep in the bath.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 20 May 2026
Your Cholesterol Levels May Improve Oatmeal contains beta-glucans, a type of soluble fiber that grabs onto cholesterol and carries it out of your body.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 20 May 2026
This can take place over time as the agent grabs context from your Drive files, Gmail, and more.
—ArsTechnica, 19 May 2026
James Ward, USA Today, 4 June 2026
For the first time in history, every seat is up for grabs.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026
The steel Laureato Fifty watches also come in the 39 mm size that debuted last fall, but there are also some new 36 mm iterations up for grabs.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 4 June 2026
The top prize in the ECHL will be up for grabs starting Friday after the Mavericks on Tuesday succeeded in eliminating the Fort Wayne Komets four games to two in the best-of-seven Western Conference finals.
—Jeff Rosen, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2026
Exact roles and playing time will be up for grabs through the summer, but that competition is already on.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 3 June 2026
The joint exit polls by South Korea’s three major TV stations — KBS, MBC and SBS — showed the Democratic Party was forecast to win at least 11 of the 16 mayoral and provincial gubernatorial posts up for grabs in Wednesday's elections.
—ABC News, 2 June 2026
Desmond’s run for Congress leaves his longtime District 5 seat up for grabs on the majority-Democratic County Board of Supervisors.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2026
Then rounding out the qualifiers are the South American, North American and SEA qualifiers that all have one spot at TI up for grabs.
—Mike Stubbs, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Verb
Kennedy then pins the snake’s head and grabs it by the mouth, avoiding any potential venomous bites.
—Drew Pittock, USA Today, 28 May 2026
Davis grabs two suitcases off the belt, pulls out a handheld computer that looks like an extra-rugged iPad, and scans the bar codes on the luggage tags.
—Joel Rose, NPR, 26 May 2026
The clever tool is designed with a 46-inch wooden handle and a four-claw metal head and footbed that effectively penetrates soil, grabs weeds by their roots, and removes them in seconds.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 22 May 2026
At one point, in one of the videos, Kyle Busch grabs his son’s shoulders affectionately.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 22 May 2026
Flower sandals are one of those shoe styles that immediately grabs you.
—Rosana Lai, Glamour, 22 May 2026
Later that evening, Becka grabs a pair of gardening shears and finds her father asleep in the bath.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 20 May 2026
Your Cholesterol Levels May Improve Oatmeal contains beta-glucans, a type of soluble fiber that grabs onto cholesterol and carries it out of your body.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 20 May 2026
This can take place over time as the agent grabs context from your Drive files, Gmail, and more.
—ArsTechnica, 19 May 2026
Noun
Some offices, such as lieutenant governor, treasurer and insurance commissioner, are up for grabs and will see a fresh face take office after the November runoff elections.
—James Ward, USA Today, 4 June 2026
For the first time in history, every seat is up for grabs.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026
The steel Laureato Fifty watches also come in the 39 mm size that debuted last fall, but there are also some new 36 mm iterations up for grabs.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 4 June 2026
The top prize in the ECHL will be up for grabs starting Friday after the Mavericks on Tuesday succeeded in eliminating the Fort Wayne Komets four games to two in the best-of-seven Western Conference finals.
—Jeff Rosen, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2026
Exact roles and playing time will be up for grabs through the summer, but that competition is already on.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 3 June 2026
The joint exit polls by South Korea’s three major TV stations — KBS, MBC and SBS — showed the Democratic Party was forecast to win at least 11 of the 16 mayoral and provincial gubernatorial posts up for grabs in Wednesday's elections.
—ABC News, 2 June 2026
Desmond’s run for Congress leaves his longtime District 5 seat up for grabs on the majority-Democratic County Board of Supervisors.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2026
Then rounding out the qualifiers are the South American, North American and SEA qualifiers that all have one spot at TI up for grabs.
—Mike Stubbs, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grabs
Verb
-
Trump seizes America’s 250th-birthday spotlight, headlining the Great American State Fair, hosting a UFC bout at the White House and promoting new passports, $250 bills and coins bearing his image.—
Will Weissert,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
-
Ellie brings up the salad and seizes the opportunity to take credit for her part in making lunch.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
This comes on the heels of reports of thousands of iPhone thefts in London, with their owners being blackmailed or threatened into giving the thieves their Apple ID credentials, so the thieves can unlock, wipe, and resell the phones.—
Alan Henry,
PC Magazine,
29 May 2026
-
If approved, the force would give the agency’s officers the authority to carry a firearm, make arrests and investigate thefts.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Dubbed the Velvet Gang, the trio snatches the overpriced, often monochromatic fashion threads designed by Christie Smith (Demi Moore, in a performance of comedic genius), a pretentious piece of work who stations herself in a leaning building (wink, win to San Francisco there).—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
-
When the Mafia snatches her anyway, his PTSD returns and launches him on a dark path to vengeance.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That last risk is the most dangerous, since an error nobody catches becomes a decision the business acts on.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
The app provides instant feedback and catches pronunciation mistakes.—
Andrew R. Chow,
Time,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
To conserve water, Terry built a system that captures groundwater on-site and reuses it for irrigation, creating a dry-creek-style basin that collects runoff.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
6 June 2026
-
On their website, a statement captures their philosophy.—
Emily M. Olson,
Hartford Courant,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Economic forum The attacks came as the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, or SPIEF, a major business event known as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s version of Davos, gets underway in the city on Wednesday.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
-
The real risk starts when a pan gets too hot, too damaged or used in the wrong way.—
Ryan Brennan
June 2,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
The date does not go to plan after a move to take things further in a remote out-of-town motel lands them in the crosshairs of a bloody and intricate murder plot.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
4 June 2026
-
The classic sneaker begins with a white leather upper that’s primarily accented with the signature True Blue shade, a hue which lands somewhere between marine blue and navy.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grabs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grabs. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
