as in stabs
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object
jabbed a pickle and tossed it on the plate
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 jabs
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2026
During a debate on April 28 hosted by CBS, candidates discussed everything from health care to the Golden State’s home insurance crisis and consistently took jabs at one another.
—James Ward, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Ohtani went out for the seventh at 90 pitches, and the Giants landed some jabs to get the four-time MVP on the ropes.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 14 May 2026
During the roast, Falk as Columbo kept his jabs good-natured and focused on trying to get Sinatra to give his wife an autograph.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
Meyers was, of course, doing some classic company man work by taking jabs at one of NBC’s major network rivals.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2026
The fight amply displayed both boxers’ dexterity, in offense and defense, with both taking nice swings as well as jabs, but a lot simply failed to land.
—ABC News, 2 May 2026
These back-and-forth jabs appear to put ever greater distance between the parties, nearly four weeks after the US and Iran first reached their temporary ceasefire.
—Nic Robertson, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
Newsom taunts Trump with multiple jabs as Florida redistricting fight ramps up.
—FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 25 Apr. 2026
The public jabs from the president have angered some Catholics, the single largest religious denomination in the United States, according to Pew Research Center.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
Donald Trump‘s effort today to praise his new Homeland Security Secretary and defend him from Jimmy Kimmel‘s jabs kind of backfired.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2026
In another moment, long-time rivals Jett and Mane exchange jabs against one another over a livestream as thousands of roarball fans tune in and cheer them on in the comments.
—Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Srinivas, who often jabs the search engine giant, made an interesting point.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Haggard jabs Baird over mailers The race is already tense.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 13 Aug. 2025
His finger jabs on the second-to-last page, at the postscript.
—Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Feb. 2025
Noun
The candidates themselves seemed low-energy, even with their jabs — which were largely directed at Becerra, as Mark said.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2026
During a debate on April 28 hosted by CBS, candidates discussed everything from health care to the Golden State’s home insurance crisis and consistently took jabs at one another.
—James Ward, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Ohtani went out for the seventh at 90 pitches, and the Giants landed some jabs to get the four-time MVP on the ropes.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 14 May 2026
During the roast, Falk as Columbo kept his jabs good-natured and focused on trying to get Sinatra to give his wife an autograph.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
Meyers was, of course, doing some classic company man work by taking jabs at one of NBC’s major network rivals.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2026
The fight amply displayed both boxers’ dexterity, in offense and defense, with both taking nice swings as well as jabs, but a lot simply failed to land.
—ABC News, 2 May 2026
These back-and-forth jabs appear to put ever greater distance between the parties, nearly four weeks after the US and Iran first reached their temporary ceasefire.
—Nic Robertson, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
Newsom taunts Trump with multiple jabs as Florida redistricting fight ramps up.
—FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
But following elite competition is nearly impossible, with subtle flicks and jabs practically invisible to the naked eye—and competitors hidden behind masks.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 25 Apr. 2026
The public jabs from the president have angered some Catholics, the single largest religious denomination in the United States, according to Pew Research Center.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
Donald Trump‘s effort today to praise his new Homeland Security Secretary and defend him from Jimmy Kimmel‘s jabs kind of backfired.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2026
In another moment, long-time rivals Jett and Mane exchange jabs against one another over a livestream as thousands of roarball fans tune in and cheer them on in the comments.
—Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Srinivas, who often jabs the search engine giant, made an interesting point.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Haggard jabs Baird over mailers The race is already tense.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 13 Aug. 2025
His finger jabs on the second-to-last page, at the postscript.
—Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jabs
Noun
-
Facing the endless Cylon onslaught in the void of space is terrifying even in 2D battles, but many of Scattered Hopes' gut punches happen during unexpected narrative events or tough choices that doom entire ship populations.—
Ian Stokes,
Space.com,
15 May 2026
-
Those two know how to roll with the punches, and their new series knows what its viewers want.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
The shower curtain opens, revealing an old woman, who stabs and decapitates Mary.—
Therie Hendrey-Seabrook,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
18 Mar. 2026
-
But this person who was a friend, who owes her career to me, just stabs me in the back.—
Maer Roshan,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
His passion—and the source of his intellectual verve—is working on archaeological digs.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 May 2026
-
Also getting support is the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland, established in 1968 (and in sleek new digs since 2012).—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Joel, a 19‑year veteran, begins pursuing after another officer deploys a spike strip and punctures the Challenger's tires.—
Kelsy Mittauer,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The narrower design, combined with the several sharp teeth, effectively punctures through tough pepper skin and hard fruits to cut out the core and remove seeds in a matter of seconds.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
No matter how comfortable your pants, shirt, or shoes are, a bra that digs or pokes can transform any outfit into an overstimulating disaster.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
-
Then in the second, Mattias Samuelsson was allowed to take multiple pokes at Jeremy Swayman before Geekie clobbered him.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Weltman’s draft picks outside the lottery have been unremarkable as well.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2026
-
Ahead, shop more of my mom’s Quince shoe picks for looking fashionable while staying comfortable.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Lockwood’s music instills joy in listening, and such revitalized desire leaves your body freshly tender, sensitive to whatever pierces the ear.—
Joshua Minsoo Kim,
Pitchfork,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Its 1959 Googie-style sign pierces the sky, a beacon of hope for weary road-trippers cruising this achingly lonely stretch of highway.—
Zoey Goto,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Antarctic Peninsula, a spindly chain of icy mountains which sticks off the west side of the continent like a thumb pointing toward South America, is one of the fastest warming places in the Southern Hemisphere.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
-
Each sticks their face in the fan at an admirable level, but separation ability will always be their calling card.—
Jimmy Durkin,
New York Times,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Jabs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jabs. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
