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

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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 Farrell won an Emmy and Golden Globe for his lead performance, and the show nabbed several best limited series nominations. — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026 Larry Kramer nabbed an Oscar nomination for his screenplay here, long before his legendary activism, and Glenda Jackson took home the Best Actress trophy — before also blazing a career fearless in politics and artistry. — Juan A. Ramírez, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2026 Law enforcement in Europe were able to nab two Turkish nationals allegedly behind the arson attack against the Starlink ground station in Poland. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 19 Oct. 2026 Then the mob went in and nabbed the books out of the gift shop. — George Saunders, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 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
  • Nearly a year after Christina Downer disappeared, her actor boyfriend was among two people arrested on suspicion of killing her, Los Angeles police said Friday.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Smith, White and Duran were arrested after a search of the box allegedly revealed 10 kilograms of cocaine, and a search of the shopping bag allegedly contained more than $170,000 in cash.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of arrest
Verb
  • In a separate incident Sunday, Basabe flagged down police to report that a parking garage employee grabbed and threw his phone to the ground, the report shows.
    — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Testing spoons stored in a manner where lip contact surface contamination could happen when employee grabs the spoon from container.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of grab
Verb
  • Weafer said Russia may be seizing control of foreign companies in anticipation of a deal to secure Russian assets frozen abroad.
    — David McHugh, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Italian authorities seized the sailboats, and the activists were reported to prosecutors for allegedly disrupting a public service.
    — Asra Q. Nomani, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of seize
Verb
  • Political reporters could sleep late, have a long lunch, even catch a movie.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2026
  • ThreadNanny Oven Liners provide a barrier between the oven bottom and potential splatter, catching debris before reaching the oven floor.
    — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of catch
Verb
  • Federal law enforcement sources told Fox News Corrales was apprehended at the southern border in October 2023 and subsequently released into the United States during the Biden administration.
    — Brittany Miller , Bill Melugin, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Only instead of just peacefully apprehending opponents, Doncic’s super-competitive alter ego wants to smash them all under an array of increasingly rude step-back jumpers.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of apprehend
Verb
  • The footage shows a coyote getting some serious air in order to snatch a pear off a tree.
    — David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Wait for the rows in front of you to get up and head to the exit, rather than scrambling to snatch your items from the overhead bins and just crowding the aisle.
    — Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of snatch
Verb
  • Federal agents were still detaining undocumented immigrants across the state, and Latino residents — the state’s largest ethnic group at 41% — were suffering under the crushing cost of food, gas and housing.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The man in handcuffs, shortly after being detained, became unresponsive, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 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 5 Nov. 2026.

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