as in to stab
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object
jabbed a pickle and tossed it on the plate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of jab
Essence, 21 Jan. 2026
Steyer has offered some criticism of Newsom’s handling of the state’s past budget surpluses, while Calderon took an indirect jab at the governor’s White House goals, saying state leaders should focus on state issues rather than national politics.
—Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 19 Jan. 2026
Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
Ocasio-Cortez is equally happy to jab at the president.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jab
Noun
Celebrities like Serena Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah, and most recently, Vanessa Williams, have all admitted to being on the jab, just like one in eight Americans who have tried the weight loss drug.
—Essence, 21 Jan. 2026
Steyer has offered some criticism of Newsom’s handling of the state’s past budget surpluses, while Calderon took an indirect jab at the governor’s White House goals, saying state leaders should focus on state issues rather than national politics.
—Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 19 Jan. 2026
Verb
As Webster repeatedly jabbed his finger, Rathbun met it with his left hand, as if trying to swat him away.
—Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
Ocasio-Cortez is equally happy to jab at the president.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jab
Noun
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The punch struck him in the ear, an arrest warrant says.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The Hawks will take the gut punch of a lesson in stride.—
Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In the Baylor study, participants watched a video of a hand being stabbed with a needle.—
Dev Patnaik,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Goncalves, meanwhile, was stabbed roughly 38 times, including 24 stab and incised wounds on her scalp, face, and neck, another 11 stab and incised wounds to the chest, and three stab and incised wounds of the upper extremities.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The Ducks had a chance to extend their lead to three but Grubauer’s poke check thwarted Harkins’ penalty shot after Ryan Lindgren held Harkins on a breakaway.—
Oc Register,
Oc Register,
24 Jan. 2026
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Philipp Grubauer stopped 27 shots, highlighted by a successful poke-check on Jansen Harkins’ penalty shot midway through the second.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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One of the bullets struck Boyd in the abdomen, traveled through his body, and ultimately punctured one of his lungs.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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Needles can puncture the walls of veins, causing blood to leak into surrounding tissues.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Bird by Bird is generous, charming, and quietly piercing.—
Jasna Hodžić,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
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Author Ta-Nehisi Coates, an 8-year-old in West Baltimore at the time of the murder, offers piercing commentary on the impact of both the initial crime and the succeeding one, the grievously unjust trial that put three kids in the penitentiary.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Then, later that week while playing pick-up basketball, his season came crashing down.—
Marielle Mohs,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Add 5 garlic cloves, finely chopped, and 2 small sprigs thyme, leaves picked, and cook, stirring often, until radicchio is softened and wilted, 5–8 minutes.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Twin looked down the rare building alleys, stuck her hand in sandboxes, found combs with missing teeth, unopened letters from Child Services.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
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Rather than feeling stuck between silence and overstatement, the most effective leaders are taking a more intentional approach.—
Teresa Hopke,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Jab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jab. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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