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
The suspect was then nabbed by the Miami Gardens Police Department and taken into custody.
—
Steven Yablonski, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, McCaffrey nabbed first-team all-purpose honors behind 17 total TDs and 2,126 scrimmage yards.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Border czar Tom Homan announced a drawdown of 700 immigration officers from Minneapolis and said further reductions are possible if state and local officials continue cooperating with efforts to nab criminals.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
The Spurs nabbed Fox from Sacramento in a three-team deal that cost them the relatively low fee of three first-round picks, three second-round picks, Tre Jones, Zach Collins and Sidy Cissoko.
—Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nab
Steven Yablonski, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, McCaffrey nabbed first-team all-purpose honors behind 17 total TDs and 2,126 scrimmage yards.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Border czar Tom Homan announced a drawdown of 700 immigration officers from Minneapolis and said further reductions are possible if state and local officials continue cooperating with efforts to nab criminals.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
The Spurs nabbed Fox from Sacramento in a three-team deal that cost them the relatively low fee of three first-round picks, three second-round picks, Tre Jones, Zach Collins and Sidy Cissoko.
—Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nab
Verb
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Months later, police obtained the criminal warrants to arrest the suspect at his residence.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Feb. 2026
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Lovely was arrested in connection with the stabbing and is also being treated at Atrium Hospital.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Similarly, Bad Bunny also stopped at a piraguas cart recreation and briefly grabbed a frozen dessert.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
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His piece of genius separated the sides entering the 84th minute but during a chaotic finale, the hosts conspired to grab defeat from the jaws of victory.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Iran seizes 2 ships on smuggling claims DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Iran seized two foreign oil tankers in the Persian Gulf on Thursday, state television reported, claiming the vessels had been smuggling fuel.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
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Leavitt turns the tables on media outrage as FBI seizes Fulton election documents.—
,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Continue reading … OUT IN THE OPEN – Noem says government leaker caught, will be referred for prosecution.—
,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
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One month after the US carried out an attack in Venezuela to capture its president, civilians in the South American country remain caught between uncertainty and expectations of governmental change.—
CNN 9 hr ago,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The occupants were apprehended following a foot chase.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
5 Feb. 2026
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The agent shot at Routh, who was rousted from his hiding place and tried to escape before he was apprehended.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Any discounts that show up are usually snatched up quickly.—
Julian Torres,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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There’s much for delight, but the drama lost steam in a confusing episode near the end, when a Snake (portrayed by Abrahamse) snatches the Prince away.—
Scott Cantrell,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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His mother had just been detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents the previous day, a fact that may have negatively impacted Kevin’s health, Mendoza recalls one of the doctors saying.—
Susana Erazo,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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He was ordered detained until a hearing tentatively set for next week.—
ERIC TUCKER,
Arkansas Online,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nab. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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