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
Full plants were nabbed outside homes throughout Crestview, an upscale Beverly Hills-adjacent community, in 2022.
—
Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026
The Plague nabbed three Film Independent Spirit Awards nominations (Best Feature; Lead Performance for Blunck; and Breakthrough Performance for Martin).
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 2 Jan. 2026
Watt also nabbed the title in 2023, 2021, 2022 and 2019.
—Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 2 Jan. 2026
Along the way, Harding had 12 players earn All-GAC honors and win three major conference awards, with Braden Jay earning Offensive Player of the Year honors and Clark Griffin nabbing Defensive Player of the Year accolades.
—Erick Taylor, Arkansas Online, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nab
Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026
The Plague nabbed three Film Independent Spirit Awards nominations (Best Feature; Lead Performance for Blunck; and Breakthrough Performance for Martin).
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 2 Jan. 2026
Watt also nabbed the title in 2023, 2021, 2022 and 2019.
—Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 2 Jan. 2026
Along the way, Harding had 12 players earn All-GAC honors and win three major conference awards, with Braden Jay earning Offensive Player of the Year honors and Clark Griffin nabbing Defensive Player of the Year accolades.
—Erick Taylor, Arkansas Online, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nab
Verb
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Trey Rose, 27, who was also arrested, met Samson Nacua at another location and got in the car, also not knowing the car belonged to someone else, according to a sheriff’s detective who declined to be named.—
Sierra van der Brug,
Daily News,
16 Jan. 2026
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Nasyrova was arrested on March 20, 2017 and eventually sentenced to 21 years in prison for poisoning Tsvyk and stealing her identification.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Start your very own love affair with Outcrease Retinol Trifecta Serum by grabbing a bottle today, and check out some of Dermelect’s other skin correcting serums and facial oils below.—
Michelle Baricevic,
InStyle,
14 Jan. 2026
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Madison outrebounded Point Loma 36-24, with Stevens grabbing seven and Moore five.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Venezuela seized Exxon's and Conoco's assets in 2007, and Caracas owes the companies billions of dollars in outstanding claims from arbitration cases.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
16 Jan. 2026
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Hannah Natanson, who covers the federal government, was at home when the FBI searched the property and her devices, seizing a phone, Garmin watch and both a personal and work laptop, according to the news organization.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Those cracks hadn't been caught in regular maintenance done on the plane, which raised questions about the adequacy of the maintenance schedule.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
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In the eighties, Petro was a member of the M-19, urban insurgents who caught the world’s attention by taking the American Ambassador and more than a dozen other foreign diplomats hostage for two months.—
Jon Lee Anderson,
New Yorker,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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After one of the federal officers attempted to apprehend the man, two other people arrived from a nearby apartment, and all three started attacking the officer, DHS claimed.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
15 Jan. 2026
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The team successfully seizes two tons of gold and apprehends the leader of the criminal network.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The ribbed-trim detailing already sets it apart, while the subtle shaping at the waist snatches every figure.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Jan. 2026
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Then Barnes snatched all three points with the latest winning goal in a Premier League game Opta has on record (since 2006-07).—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The same day, four homeless tribal men in Minneapolis were also detained, Frank Star Comes Out, president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, said on social media.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
11 Jan. 2026
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SkyCal was overhead as officers detained one person.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nab. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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