nab

verb

ˈnab How to pronounce nab (audio)
Definition of nabnext
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

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 nab Amaya, the catcher, then threw it to third baseman Bregman to nab Josh Bell, who had taken a big turn. — Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026 Head to Amazon to nab the blouse shoppers are buying in multiples, then keep scrolling for more breezy tops inspired by her look. — Taylor Jean Stephan, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026 Some of these companies, including Thinking Machines, have nabbed substantial sums from investors before releasing any products. — Shirin Ghaffary, Fortune, 15 July 2026 The distributor extended its streak of Palme d’Or pick-ups by nabbing Cristian Mungiu’s Fjord. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for nab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nab
  1. arrest
  2. grab
  3. seize
  4. catch
  5. apprehend
  6. snatch
  7. detain
Verb
  • The Fort Worth Police Department arrested three men on narcotics charges after seizing a large amount of drugs from their homes, police said.
    — Mary Ella Hastings July 17, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2026
  • Aïnouz’s new feature, however, is extreme in its brand of dysfunction and study of incestuous lust, amped up by its arresting cinematography.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Definition of arrest
Verb
  • Paredes was quickly on the scene, grabbing Garcia briefly by the throat and shoving him to the floor.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • If relaxing is more your speed, grab a glass of Chablis, settle into an Adirondack chair with a good book, and watch the sunlight dance across the lily pads.
    — Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 20 July 2026
Definition of grab
Verb
  • Trump has also mused about taking control of the strait by force, possibly by seizing one or more strategic islands held by Iran.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026
  • The goal was limited to driving out the Iraqi troops who'd seized Kuwait.
    — Greg Myre, NPR, 18 July 2026
Definition of seize
Verb
  • Evans avoided a charging Breakker with a backflip and tagged Dragon Lee, who was rolling until Paul interfered, allowing Breakker to catch Lee in midair with a powerslam.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • But their journey to catch up with the Rivermen proves increasingly difficult, after one of their horses gets caught in a trap.
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 20 July 2026
Definition of catch
Verb
  • Authorities said the poaching suspects were apprehended after wildlife officers found them while on night patrol.
    — Seamus Bozeman, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026
  • The teens were apprehended after police flagged a vehicle being driven by one of them, ISP said in its initial statement.
    — Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 14 July 2026
Definition of apprehend
Verb
  • Up in Chicago, rival United — which has been duking it out with American at O’Hare International Airport — snatched up delivery slots for more than 100 Boeing Dreamliners in the last four years.
    — Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 19 July 2026
  • Malonga scored 28 points and snatched a game-high 14 rebounds.
    — James Boyd, New York Times, 18 July 2026
Definition of snatch
Verb
  • This spring, the FBI detained a former aide to Fauci, and federal officials banned a virus researcher in North Carolina from receiving federal funding.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
  • Police detained Schmidt twice during the altercation, originally placing him into the police vehicle after the officer shot his black Labrador, according to eyewitness Paul Bates.
    — Gabe White, Arkansas Online, 21 July 2026
Definition of detain

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nab
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Cite this Entry

“Nab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nab. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of nab for Spanish Speakers

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