1
as in to arrest
to take or keep under one's control by authority of law
the officer nabbed the purse snatcher before he could escape
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to grab
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly
a pickpocket nabbed my wallet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nab
He was placed in a police van by a family member and was set to return home from the intensive care unit on the same day police nabbed a second suspect wanted for the caught-on-video Saturday beatdown.
—
Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 28 May 2025
Jin nabs his highest-charting effort on the Billboard 200 as Echo arrives at No. 3.
—Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 25 May 2025
While many other actors were up for the coveted roles, in the end, Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth nabbed the parts of Katniss, Peeta and Gale.
—Kelsie Gibson, People.com, 24 May 2025
David Tennant would probably have liked to use the TARDIS to nab the lead role in Walt Disney Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for nab
Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 28 May 2025
Jin nabs his highest-charting effort on the Billboard 200 as Echo arrives at No. 3.
—Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 25 May 2025
While many other actors were up for the coveted roles, in the end, Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth nabbed the parts of Katniss, Peeta and Gale.
—Kelsie Gibson, People.com, 24 May 2025
David Tennant would probably have liked to use the TARDIS to nab the lead role in Walt Disney Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for nab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nab
Verb
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The Columbia County, Oregon, Sheriff’s Office arrested the suspect on May 22, the FBI said.—
Rebekah Riess,
CNN Money,
6 June 2025
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Georgia is then arrested and driven away in a cop car, setting the stage for an intense court battle and a potential prison sentence in Season 3.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Scott grabbed some pizza and returned to park her Subaru near the West Shore Market to wait for Serafini.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
6 June 2025
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Appeal To All Five Senses People still like going out, meeting others and grabbing coffee.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Verb
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The Astros did not seize it, bypassing infielder Brice Matthews in favor of journeymen veterans Cooper Hummel and Luis Guillorme.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
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Creators are making money via social media and e-commerce platforms every day, so there’s no reason why freelancers can’t seize the opportunity as well.—
Chelsea Tobin,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
Verb
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Special teams and the crazy switching up of the D Pairs after the first two, very even games has been the story of the series so far for me A Andrew K. · 42m ago Maple Leafs catching strays.—
Daniel Nugent-Bowman,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
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The Ford Canadian executive clearly had been caught by surprise.—
Bill Koenig,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
Verb
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Kendall nearly escapes with the cash, but the cops arrive just in time to apprehend him.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
5 June 2025
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Tolbert was apprehended inside a hotel at 204 N. Washington St. in Ellis, Kansas, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation said in a statement.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2025
Verb
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California Burglars clean out father-son jewelers, snatch heirlooms, ‘a lifetime’s worth of work’ May 28, 2025 Nasarenko added that the offenses carried additional enhancements since the burglary drew more than $3 million.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2025
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The result is, at best, a temporary reprieve snatched out of defeat.—
The Editors,
National Review,
12 June 2025
Verb
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Fewer than 80 of the 500 people detained by ICE had criminal records.—
Sergio Martínez-Beltrán,
NPR,
7 June 2025
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For several hours Friday, advocates gathered outside Ambiance Apparel’s warehouse shouting legal advice to those being detained inside.—
Rachel Uranga,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nab. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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