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
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Recent Examples of jabs
Paris Barraza, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
Some of his jabs seemed a bit forced and stagy.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
Newsom taunts Trump with multiple jabs as Florida redistricting fight ramps up.
—FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Misty Copeland and Broadway’s Tamar Greene hosted the show; a few jabs were made at Timothee Chalamet‘s expense.
—Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
In 1983, Mark Russell, whose satire was a PBS staple, offered relatively tame jabs at Reagan.
—ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
Glaser’s opening monologue took jabs at MrBeast’s fanbase, Noah Kahan for looking like a weed dealer at a Dave Matthews concert and Victoria Beckham for never cracking a smile.
—Antonio Ferme, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026
Such jabs are frequently reserved for a series clinching because, well, the job is done at that point.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 22 Apr. 2026
Those two standout episodes are also largely separated from the country club settling, which too often opens the door for slightly superficial jabs at the club’s vapid members.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 16 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
In an over hourlong debate at Pomona College’s Bridges Auditorium, eight candidates running for California governor sparred over health care and tossed jabs just days before Californians can begin voting early in the state's primary election.
—Paris Barraza, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
Some of his jabs seemed a bit forced and stagy.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
Newsom taunts Trump with multiple jabs as Florida redistricting fight ramps up.
—FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Misty Copeland and Broadway’s Tamar Greene hosted the show; a few jabs were made at Timothee Chalamet‘s expense.
—Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
In 1983, Mark Russell, whose satire was a PBS staple, offered relatively tame jabs at Reagan.
—ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
Glaser’s opening monologue took jabs at MrBeast’s fanbase, Noah Kahan for looking like a weed dealer at a Dave Matthews concert and Victoria Beckham for never cracking a smile.
—Antonio Ferme, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026
Such jabs are frequently reserved for a series clinching because, well, the job is done at that point.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 22 Apr. 2026
Those two standout episodes are also largely separated from the country club settling, which too often opens the door for slightly superficial jabs at the club’s vapid members.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 16 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
-
The challenger became more aggressive after the sixth round, moving forward to try to land punches.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 May 2026
-
No punches, but the two tangled, spilling toward the sideline as Okongwu tried to separate them.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
2 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
-
After three straight draws to open the news digs, Miami embarrassingly remains winless in its new stadium and dips to third in MLS East.—
Greg Cote
May 3,
Miami Herald,
3 May 2026
-
Murillo Silva added 15 kills and 9 digs, Moises Ortiz had 9 kills and 11 total blocks, and Umberto Caleca dished 50 assists.—
The Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
2 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
-
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
-
Privacy may struggle within a buzzing neighborhood as the Sun in your contemplative 12th house pokes indulgent Jupiter in your 3rd House of Messages.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Score picks from Dove, Hanes, Cuisinart, Anker, and more—starting as low as $8.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
3 May 2026
-
With three top-40 picks for the first time since 2008, the Chiefs opened their draft class with cornerback Mansoor Delane, defensive tackle Peter Woods and edge rusher R Mason Thomas.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
1 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 film builds with confidence, earns its twist, and sticks the landing in a way that feels both inevitable and wholly unexpected.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
6 May 2026
-
So people are just getting this enormous number of at bats in the hopes of trying to find the thing that sticks.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Jabs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jabs. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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