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

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 Alvarez managed to nab a foul pop-up behind the plate for the first out, but a fly ball to center field scored another run, and Abrams managed to get to third. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 26 Sep. 2026 Instead of its famous Stars, Michelin awards the world’s best hotels with Keys — and a Charlotte hotspot has once again nabbed this coveted honor. — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 23 Sep. 2026 Finally, nab 38% off the Roku Streaming Stick 4K with Dolby Vision, making sharp streaming portable and snappy for under $50. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026 The Chiefs’ defense nabbed a pick on the first series and allowed only 10 points. — Scott Chasen, Kansas City Star, 20 Sep. 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 teen and his parents were contacted by police Tuesday, and he was arrested on suspicion of felony vandalism.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • He was arrested about 20 miles south of his hometown in East Palestine, Ohio, where police were conducting a prostitution sting at a mobile home park.
    — Erick Mendoza, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of arrest
Verb
  • Two teenage suspects, ages 14 and 15, allegedly grabbed a necklace from the victim’s neck after walking by them, according to police.
    — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Or, just head down to one of the bars by the pool or grab a fresh juice.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of grab
Verb
  • Oviedo also alleged that bundles of cash seized from an ambulance leaving Mariaca’s home in the city of Santa Cruz early Thursday were proceeds of extortion targeting people who sought help from prosecutors.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Azerbaijan has denied these allegations, but the country is a major oil supplier to Israel, which might be enough to push Tehran to try to seize Nakhichevan, an Azerbaijani exclave on the Iranian border.
    — Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of seize
Verb
  • Set the scene Step past the elegant doormen, caps raised, into a lobby where gold and silver leaves, suspended from the ceiling, catch the light that pours into the building through its vast crystal canopy roof.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Most of his production came from receiver Malik Washington, who caught five balls for 67 yards.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of catch
Verb
  • The woman fled the scene, but a police helicopter spotted her car and followed it to a Sherman Oaks shopping center parking lot, where the suspect was apprehended about a half-hour following the 911 call.
    — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 29 Sep. 2026
  • He was apprehended that June in Nashville, Tennessee, where Carter signed a confession while under interrogation from a Provo detective.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of apprehend
Verb
  • In a move toward designer luxury, Marquee bought Roberto Cavalli and WHP snatched up Marc Jacobs in partnership with G-III Apparel Group.
    — Evan Clark, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026
  • This speed can be boosted in systems like NGC 362D, in which a neutron star is snatching material from a donor star because that material carries with it angular momentum.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of snatch
Verb
  • If a student is detained or deported, college officials must try to help the student retain their eligibility for financial aid, research funding, housing stipends and other benefits the student was awarded, per the state policy.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • All five, as well as a sixth suspect detained later, were released on bail.
    — Steve Hendrix, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 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 7 Oct. 2026.

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