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
Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2026
Jason Esteves and Geoff Duncan trade jabs.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Amid public blowback to the Hollywood superstar's recent jabs against the popularity of opera and ballet, EGOT-winning actress Whoopi Goldberg, legal expert Sunny Hostin, and guest cohost Sheryl Underwood all took aim at Chalamet's words on Monday's broadcast of The View.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Mar. 2026
Finch grew fond of him, offering little jabs that indicate affection.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
In the years afterward, Cohen and Radziwill exchanged jabs in social media and in interviews.
—Kate Aurthur, Variety, 2 Mar. 2026
The problems have spread to social media and into underground rap, where members mock each other and trade jabs.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2026
The ordeal has escalated to personal jabs at family members and diss tracks.
—Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026
Violet, acting as a professional Boy Mom for good, makes sure to get in some jabs about the worth of those shoe clips.
—Christina Grace Tucker, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
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
For most of the evening, the mood is darkly funny and a little ominous, as the siblings take undermining jabs and the in-laws roll their eyes.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2026
Jason Esteves and Geoff Duncan trade jabs.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Amid public blowback to the Hollywood superstar's recent jabs against the popularity of opera and ballet, EGOT-winning actress Whoopi Goldberg, legal expert Sunny Hostin, and guest cohost Sheryl Underwood all took aim at Chalamet's words on Monday's broadcast of The View.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Mar. 2026
Finch grew fond of him, offering little jabs that indicate affection.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
In the years afterward, Cohen and Radziwill exchanged jabs in social media and in interviews.
—Kate Aurthur, Variety, 2 Mar. 2026
The problems have spread to social media and into underground rap, where members mock each other and trade jabs.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2026
The ordeal has escalated to personal jabs at family members and diss tracks.
—Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026
Violet, acting as a professional Boy Mom for good, makes sure to get in some jabs about the worth of those shoe clips.
—Christina Grace Tucker, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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
-
Tenacious defense and timely free-throw shooting from David and junior Cooper Ellwood sealed the title for Rock Canyon, as star big Kai Valentine tackled junior Jonah Medina after the buzzer and threw a few gleeful fake punches at his chest.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The retro thing isn’t for everyone, but The Violet Mindfield certainly didn’t pull its punches.—
Ramon Ramirez,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Bautista stabs and shoots his assailants in an operatic eruption of violence that is done in a single, extended shot.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
As a science journalist and ocean explorer, she's investigated misinformation campaigns on social media, embedded in Alaskan archaeological digs, and contributed to the discovery of deep-sea organisms in the Central Pacific.—
Madison Dapcevich,
Outside,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The harder and faster tracks are best-suited to the new digs.—
Jude Noel,
Pitchfork,
9 Mar. 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
-
Pepsi has for decades taken pokes at rival Coke in an endless array of commercials, but this time, the youth-skewing cola company really means business.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
29 Jan. 2026
-
A lot of times, these hot-button issues that are pressed, those little pokes, are more nuanced than they’re portrayed.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That could have significant ramifications on where the team picks in the upcoming NBA draft.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Ahead, InStyle's picks for the 40 best Oscar looks of all time.—
Kevin Huynh,
InStyle,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Lower the heat to medium-high and cook, gently stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent and a paring knife easily pierces a potato, about 15 minutes.—
C.W. Cameron,
AJC.com,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
If nothing sticks, the Dodgers are also not shy about spitting out the pitcher and designating him for assignment.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The ball still sticks in his hands on offense.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Jabs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jabs. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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