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

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

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 Arienne Mandi joined as a new series regular, nabbing the role of Officer Eva Imani for Season 13. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 2 July 2026 Brown also nabbed two Teen Choice Award wins for Choice Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Actress and Choice Summer TV Star for Stranger Things in 2018 and 2019, respectively. — Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026 Jones, an actor and filmmaker best known for starring in ITV’s crime drama Manhunt and directing The Almond and the Seahorse, was quite keen to nab the free director’s chair, too. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 29 June 2026 That turned his first-round matchup into a walkover for 10th-place finisher Alex Bowman, who nabbed the 32nd and final seed in the In-Season Challenge despite missing four races with vertigo. — ABC News, 28 June 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
  • Kwong Chun Sit, 54, of Irvine, was arrested in June 2025 and convicted last month of 11 counts of felony animal cruelty and other counts, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office said.
    — Phil Helsel, NBC news, 11 July 2026
  • Since January 2025, people have been arrested at building while showing up for routine hearings at court, check-ins for green card appointments and to report a change of address.
    — Mathew Miranda July 9, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of arrest
Verb
  • With the back tyre in the water, grab the front brake and stand up off the bike.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 July 2026
  • Ethiopian content creator Kalu Putik has grabbed the attention of the fashion world with his outfits made from old clothes, shoes, and garbage scraps.
    — Jenny Vaughan, semafor.com, 13 July 2026
Definition of grab
Verb
  • Arthur Kaluma seized his Summer League moment in Las Vegas, scoring 34 points in the Lakers’ 91-70 win over the Dallas Mavericks.
    — Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026
  • And some have responded by seizing the female obsession with looks, already rooted in misogyny, and rebranding it with maximum toxicity—in other words, by becoming looksmaxxers.
    — Jia Tolentino, New Yorker, 11 July 2026
Definition of seize
Verb
  • Anaplasmosis can also cause severe illness, including respiratory failure, bleeding problems, organ failure and death, though it can also be treated with antibiotics, especially if caught early.
    — Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
  • For many who are caught in, recovering from or trying to avoid the next heatwave, their prayers for rain might well be answered.
    — Evan Clark, Footwear News, 13 July 2026
Definition of catch
Verb
  • Jose Guadalupe Lopez Nunez, 49, was apprehended last year in Mexico, subsequently extradited and booked Friday at the Sacramento County Main Jail.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026
  • When he was apprehended, Hornby’s wares were seized by border officials.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 8 July 2026
Definition of apprehend
Verb
  • At one point, Nelson appears to snatch the other driver’s sunglasses from his forehead and heave them across the parking lot.
    — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • Egypt exited the tournament but claimed it had been treated unfairly after Argentina overturned a 2-0 deficit to snatch victory with a stoppage-time winner from Enzo Fernández.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 9 July 2026
Definition of snatch
Verb
  • McCoy was detained the following month and subsequently arrested and booked into the San Diego Central Jail.
    — Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026
  • One defendant in the case was ordered removed by an immigration judge and departed before trial, while Yepez was detained by ICE as the Los Angeles Police Department closed in.
    — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 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 15 Jul. 2026.

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