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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nab
And, in some places, the crafty crustaceans have also been caught nabbing anglers’ bait and catch.
—
Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 May 2025
Passersby nabbed $300,000 after a security truck accidentally spilled cash in Illinois.
—Jane Onyanga-Omara, USA Today, 1 May 2025
Bustamante-Leiva is accused of nabbing Noem’s luxury Gucci bag containing around $3,000 cash as well as her driver’s license, passport, medication, makeup bag, blank checks, DHS badge, apartment keys and a Louis Vuitton Clemence wallet.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2025
The standout quarterback also nabbed contracts with Beats by Dre and Tom Brady's sports apparel line BRADY.
—Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nab
Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 May 2025
Passersby nabbed $300,000 after a security truck accidentally spilled cash in Illinois.
—Jane Onyanga-Omara, USA Today, 1 May 2025
Bustamante-Leiva is accused of nabbing Noem’s luxury Gucci bag containing around $3,000 cash as well as her driver’s license, passport, medication, makeup bag, blank checks, DHS badge, apartment keys and a Louis Vuitton Clemence wallet.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2025
The standout quarterback also nabbed contracts with Beats by Dre and Tom Brady's sports apparel line BRADY.
—Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nab
Verb
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The former record executive, who was arrested in 2015 on suspicion of murder in a hit-and-run incident that killed businessman Terry Carter, reportedly agreed to a $1.5 million settlement in the wrongful death case on April 29, according to Rolling Stone.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
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Detectives arrested Ryan Hewitt, 29, of Corona on charges of carjacking and murder following an investigation, the sheriff’s office said.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
13 May 2025
Verb
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Combs returns to the scene shortly thereafter and appears to grab at the phone.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
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The Pineapple Express actress allegedly grabbed and struck van Ree's arm in an altercation at a Seattle airport.—
Alex Gurley,
People.com,
13 May 2025
Verb
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The White House, with Vice President JD Vance’s experience in tech, should seize this moment to build a national AI strategy that does not leave the workers behind.—
Lynn Forester de Rothschild,
Time,
11 May 2025
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This time, the case moved forward alongside multiple simultaneous investigations and cases in other states, and in 2018, the federal government seized Backpage and it was taken down.—
Kate Wolffe,
Sacbee.com,
11 May 2025
Verb
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Yet octopuses have been caught performing incredible feats such as escaping aquarium tanks, solving puzzles, unscrewing jar lids and carrying shells as shields.—
Yasemin Saplakoglu,
Wired News,
11 May 2025
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In Barca’s 4-0 win in La Liga against Madrid at the Bernabeu in October, Madrid were caught offside 12 times.—
Guillermo Rai,
New York Times,
11 May 2025
Verb
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Nine migrants detained in attempt to enter La Jolla by boat Nine people were apprehended over the weekend after making landfall in La Jolla during an attempt to enter the United States by boat, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 May 2025
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Footage of the low-stakes battle was captured by the resident's doorbell camera, which shows the gator moving door-to-door in Tortuga, a residential neighborhood in Fort Myers, before it was apprehended by a state alligator trapper.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
12 May 2025
Verb
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In October, Disney snatched the rights to the annual music awards show in a 10-year pact.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
7 May 2025
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This previous weekend was particularly nuts, with an older gentleman snatched from the streets of Paris' 14th arrondissement on May 1 by men in ski masks.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
7 May 2025
Verb
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Over the past few months, university students and activists on valid visas have been pursued by ICE and subsequently detained or even deported for being outspoken on political issues.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
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But the scam is particularly devious since the Trump administration has tried to revoke visas for foreign students while detaining others for views critical of Israel’s war in Gaza.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nab. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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