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
The Croatian netminder — who starts ahead of former Inter Miami goalie Drake Callender — opted to react instead of predict en route to nabbing Messi’s weak lofted shot.
—
Franco Panizo, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2025
According to vehicle registration data from S&P Global Mobility, the Ford F-150 Lightning moved to nab the top spot, while the Chevrolet Silverado EV nabbed third place.
—Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 14 Sep. 2025
India nabs a noteworthy launch contract.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
The shelves of an average grocery store now have apples like the Sprizzle, Ambrosia, SweeTango, Cosmic Crisp, and many others competing to nab a spot, all while apple consumption has been relatively stagnant over the last decade.
—Mark Dent, HubSpot, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nab
Franco Panizo, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2025
According to vehicle registration data from S&P Global Mobility, the Ford F-150 Lightning moved to nab the top spot, while the Chevrolet Silverado EV nabbed third place.
—Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 14 Sep. 2025
India nabs a noteworthy launch contract.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
The shelves of an average grocery store now have apples like the Sprizzle, Ambrosia, SweeTango, Cosmic Crisp, and many others competing to nab a spot, all while apple consumption has been relatively stagnant over the last decade.
—Mark Dent, HubSpot, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nab
Verb
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British police have arrested three people on suspicion of assisting Russian intelligence services, highlighting the threat posed to NATO allies as Russia pursues hybrid warfare against Western powers.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
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Scott, McDonald and Neary were arrested, but Rackauckas and a Fullerton police detective persuaded Neary to testify against the other two men, according to the motion.—
Tony Saavedra,
Oc Register,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Plus, grab knife sets and a nifty electric can opener to streamline your cooking.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
16 Sep. 2025
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As Jey checked on Jimmy, LA Knight grabbed the steel chair and teased hitting Jey Uso.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Leaders must continuously renew and reinvent their strategies to seize opportunities and stay ahead of the curve.—
Glenn Llopis,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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With each load seized, the cartel would take another bite off its own tail.—
Martin Suarez,
Rolling Stone,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Kirk was killed in Utah on Wednesday and the suspect, Tyler Robinson, was caught after his father turned him in to authorities on Friday.—
Luke Barr,
ABC News,
16 Sep. 2025
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Use any type of soft plastic lures to catch black bass.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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He was apprehended hours later, the FBI confirmed to Fox News.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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The 1850 version mandated that the federal government actively help slave catchers track and apprehend people who’d escaped slavery.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As demand for housing surged during the pandemic amid a widespread lack of inventory across the country, home prices shot through the roof—adding millions of dollars in real estate wealth to those who have managed to snatch a property or already owned one.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
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When tickets to those shows went on sale and fans struggled to purchase seats snatched up by resellers, however, the vocalist expressed her frustration on her Story.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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According to the New York Times, this individual was the second person detained and later released by law enforcement authorities after questioning.—
Zachary Folk,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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Seoul, South Korea — More than 300 South Korean workers detained by immigration authorities in Georgia last week arrived home on Friday, marking the end of a saga that has stunned their nation and threatened to upend a close bilateral friendship between the US and South Korea.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nab. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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