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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nab
Maya da Costa and Myra Molloy have nabbed lead roles in pop star Hayley Kiyoko’s movie Girls Like Girls, based on her 2015 hit song of the same name and viral music video.
—
Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 24 June 2025
Tarantino’s multi Oscar-winning Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, which also nabbed Pitt a Best Supporting Actor Oscar, was shot in the City of Angels and lensed at such famed landmarks as Hollywood Boulevard, the Cinerama Dome and Musso & Frank restaurant.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 23 June 2025
Cuomo’s polling advantage has narrowed in recent weeks as Mamdani, 33, a democratic socialist, built momentum and nabbed a key endorsement from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 19 June 2025
Sandoval-Lopez was nabbed Saturday in Passaic, sources told WNBC.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for nab
Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 24 June 2025
Tarantino’s multi Oscar-winning Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, which also nabbed Pitt a Best Supporting Actor Oscar, was shot in the City of Angels and lensed at such famed landmarks as Hollywood Boulevard, the Cinerama Dome and Musso & Frank restaurant.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 23 June 2025
Cuomo’s polling advantage has narrowed in recent weeks as Mamdani, 33, a democratic socialist, built momentum and nabbed a key endorsement from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 19 June 2025
Sandoval-Lopez was nabbed Saturday in Passaic, sources told WNBC.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for nab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nab
Verb
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Her estranged husband, Fotis Dulos, was initially arrested in June 2019, along with Troconis, and charged with tampering with evidence and hindering prosecution.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
19 June 2025
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Police arrested and removed nearly a dozen union workers protesting Mayor Daniel Lurie during a San Francisco City Hall meeting on Tuesday, showing the new mayor’s rocky relationship with Big Labor.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
18 June 2025
Verb
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In the few months since its launch, JD.com has grabbed 7.5% of China’s food-delivery market after its daily meal orders reached 20 million on May 13, according to a May 14 research note from Blue Lotus Capital Advisors.—
Yue Wang,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
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In Monday night’s first quarter after falling to the court, Haliburton winced and grabbed his lower right leg.—
Shakeia Taylor,
New York Times,
17 June 2025
Verb
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In 2024, the DEA seized more than 60 million counterfeit pills and nearly 8,000 pounds of fentanyl powder nationwide — enough to deliver more than 380 million lethal doses.—
Mark Michalek,
Denver Post,
28 June 2025
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Holding its 24th edition from July 4 – 12, the Swiss showcase for fantastical film, Asian cinema and digital creation has evolved in tow, growing from upstart to institution as outré fare and auteurs seized ever-greater opportunities.—
Ben Croll,
Variety,
27 June 2025
Verb
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The fireball that caught the attention of people across the southeastern United States is presumed to be from a meteor fragmenting in the sky, according to meteorologists and other experts.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
28 June 2025
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That unique twist is exactly what caught the attention of Quinn Cosgrove, bass player for local Kansas band The Whips.—
Ramal Nasim,
Kansas City Star,
28 June 2025
Verb
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He was apprehended by the District of Connecticut Violent Fugitive Task Force.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
19 June 2025
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Boelter was apprehended in Sibley County, about 50 miles away from Minneapolis, after a two-day manhunt authorities called the largest in the state's history.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
17 June 2025
Verb
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Last year a cat was caught leaping over the sink to snatch some spaghetti from the side.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 June 2025
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Shaevitz’s Toot went from underdog to semi-finalist, nearly making it to the end to snatch the $200,000 grand prize.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
26 June 2025
Verb
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He is detained at the Shelby County Sheriff's Office jail and is scheduled to appear in court on Friday, online jail records show.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
19 June 2025
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Mass protests also broke out in the autumn of 2022 after Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old, died while detained by the morality police for allegedly wearing her headscarf improperly.—
Ruth Marks Eglash,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nab. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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