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
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Recent Examples of nab
Forde thinks the Longhorns would try and nab Lane Kiffin away from Ole Miss.
—
Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
And Anderson nabbed a Best Original Screenplay nod from the Academy, alongside a pair of performance nominations for Burt Reynolds and Julianne Moore.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2025
In this creative director, Balenciaga’s parent company Kering has nabbed for itself a top couturier with a pent-up following of wealthy people who will freely spend.
—Sarah Mower, Vogue, 3 Oct. 2025
The record was most recently held by Playboi Carti’s Music, which nabbed the honor upon its March 14 release.
—Anna Chan, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nab
Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
And Anderson nabbed a Best Original Screenplay nod from the Academy, alongside a pair of performance nominations for Burt Reynolds and Julianne Moore.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2025
In this creative director, Balenciaga’s parent company Kering has nabbed for itself a top couturier with a pent-up following of wealthy people who will freely spend.
—Sarah Mower, Vogue, 3 Oct. 2025
The record was most recently held by Playboi Carti’s Music, which nabbed the honor upon its March 14 release.
—Anna Chan, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nab
Verb
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The journalists were among 15 people arrested during the July 17 demonstration held in support of Imam Ayman Soliman, an Egyptian immigrant and former Cincinnati Children's chaplain who was detained by ICE several days before.—
Quinlan Bentley,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
2 Oct. 2025
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The cops showed up and arrested him for God knows what, but Lee definitely didn’t serve four days and one morning for protesting apartheid or being gay in Victorian England.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The ball popped up in the air and Bolton was there to grab it, except he was hit by teammate Drue Tranquill.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
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Sasaki was the necessary answer on Monday night, coming in to secure the final out and avoid disaster as Freddie Freeman sprawled out to grab Tommy Edman’s final throw to first base.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The man reported to the Sheriff’s Office he had been scammed; the Sheriff’s Office then obtained a warrant and seized $14,120 from the ATM.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
4 Oct. 2025
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Failing to seize the narrative, the authorities shifted course and began erasing the record from public memory.—
Yangyang Cheng,
NPR,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In the skit, a camera catches fans at a game dancing and cuts to the two who dump their popcorns, do the robot and then turn back-to-back and pose.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
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Will Shipley would be more of the pass-catching value, and Dillon the early-down and goal-line option, not to say both can’t do both things — hence, the hot hand (and hence for the second time).—
Jake Ciely,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Security finally realized what was going on and apprehended the trespassing fan while Ne-Yo didn’t miss a beat of his performance.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
29 Sep. 2025
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Grieshaber said officers will also work with local law enforcement to conduct patrols and apprehend high-risk and repeat offenders.—
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In a TikTok video, the woman shared the moment when her dog, a cocker spaniel named Tiki, jumped up and snatched her burger right out of her hand.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
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That will further snatch sales from November and December.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Miami Herald interviewed more than 30 Venezuelan families who had husbands, brothers and sons detained.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
4 Oct. 2025
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However, Israel has said that four Italian citizens who were detained from the flotilla have been deported while the rest of the deportations are being processed.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nab. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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