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

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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

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 After successfully nabbing a role in Brokeback Mountain, Hathaway dropped out of NYU. — Alyssa Modos, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026 Backed by Searchlight Pictures, Wild Horse Nine is McDonagh’s follow-up to The Banshees of Inisherin, which won Venice’s best screenplay and best actor prizes in 2022 on the way to nabbing nine Oscar nominations. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026 But that was long enough for Anthony Hopkins to nab a Best Actor Oscar for his chillingly erudite cannibal in 1991’s The Silence of the Lambs. — Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026 Fans packed the bleachers, sweating under the summer sun, or lined up along the concourse, hoping to nab a seat. — Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 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
  • In November 2023, Donna was arrested in connection with Markel’s death, just days after Charlie was found guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and solicitation of first-degree murder.
    — Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Compare this with a similarly arresting later sequence, set deep within a magnificently mossy forest, where a band of hunters, led by Sung-ki (Zo In-sung, full of rascally charisma), do battle with Va’migere’s alien friends.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of arrest
Verb
  • Running back If you’re not used to seeing the running back position here, grab a ticket and join the line.
    — Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Just like the rest of us that day, most of the dead were just going about such ordinary tasks as showing up for work, grabbing a cup of coffee and traveling on a commercial jetliner, or just trying to lend a hand to people in trouble.
    — Mike Kelly, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of grab
Verb
  • But the truth of it is that Sharaa forced his hand by seizing swathes of the SDF’s territory in a lightning offensive in January.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Who knows more of the injustice of the world than the girl who saw her town seized by a white-supremacist coup, the Wilmington massacre, in 1898?
    — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of seize
Verb
  • Gauff knocked the ball into a rectangular expanse of blue, as Jović stood in the doubles alley and doubled over to her knees, trying to catch her breath.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Well, the internet cooked up the idea that the chant originated from late-1800s and early-1900s imagery and stories that depicted Black children being used as bait to catch alligators.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of catch
Verb
  • According to local news reports, police in Pattaya over the weekend apprehended at least 25 individuals suspected of soliciting for prostitution, an offense punishable by fines.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026
  • After it was immobilized, the driver attempted to leave the vehicle and was apprehended by officers, according to NEA Report.
    — Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of apprehend
Verb
  • Faria was down a break and scrambling to survive, having snatched the opening set by getting past Alcaraz’s defenses.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Antiques Roadshow, which has been airing on PBS since 1997, won its first ever Emmy in 24 attempts and snatched the award away from Queer Eye and Shark Tank for the first time since 2013.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of snatch
Verb
  • Three days before Pourrain was detained, Venezuelan national Claudia Rodríguez, 28, was released from ICE custody after being held for 20 days.
    — Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Police detained Evans, who matched the description, for questioning, the report said.
    — Dale Ellis, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of detain

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Cite this Entry

“Nab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nab. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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