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
Full plants were nabbed outside homes throughout Crestview, an upscale Beverly Hills-adjacent community, in 2022.
—
Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026
The Plague nabbed three Film Independent Spirit Awards nominations (Best Feature; Lead Performance for Blunck; and Breakthrough Performance for Martin).
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 2 Jan. 2026
Watt also nabbed the title in 2023, 2021, 2022 and 2019.
—Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 2 Jan. 2026
Along the way, Harding had 12 players earn All-GAC honors and win three major conference awards, with Braden Jay earning Offensive Player of the Year honors and Clark Griffin nabbing Defensive Player of the Year accolades.
—Erick Taylor, Arkansas Online, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nab
Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026
The Plague nabbed three Film Independent Spirit Awards nominations (Best Feature; Lead Performance for Blunck; and Breakthrough Performance for Martin).
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 2 Jan. 2026
Watt also nabbed the title in 2023, 2021, 2022 and 2019.
—Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 2 Jan. 2026
Along the way, Harding had 12 players earn All-GAC honors and win three major conference awards, with Braden Jay earning Offensive Player of the Year honors and Clark Griffin nabbing Defensive Player of the Year accolades.
—Erick Taylor, Arkansas Online, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nab
Verb
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Deputies arrested Sargent on Thursday on two felony animal-cruelty counts and one misdemeanor count.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
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Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th) demanded that if and when Customs and Border Protection Commander Gregory Bovino returns to Chicago, he should be arrested.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Tri-State Fishing and Outdoor Show Don your camo gear and grab your fishing poles for the Tri-State Fishing and Outdoor Show.—
Caroline Ritzie,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Jan. 2026
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The suspects, seen grabbing armfuls of merchandise during multiple rounds of theft, reportedly fled in a U-Haul truck, Lower Merion Police told Fox 29 Philadelphia.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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On Iowa State’s next possession, TCU senior safety Bud Clark came up with a massive interception right before the two-minute timeout, giving TCU a great opportunity to seize control of the game with the Horned Frogs getting the ball at halftime.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Nov. 2025
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Pokrovsk would be the largest city Russia has seized since Bakhmut in May 2023.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Through the air, their pass-catching group is one of the worst in the playoffs.—
Austin Mock,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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Eleven days after the courthouse escape, Hollywood police caught Braddy breaking into a store, the Herald archives say.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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While our immigration enforcement should be focused on apprehending and prosecuting violent criminals to make our communities safer, these ICE actions are doing the opposite and making our state less safe.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
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At least five have been detained in recent months, according to CNN, with some believed to be apprehended as bargaining chips for the Maduro government.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The ribbed-trim detailing already sets it apart, while the subtle shaping at the waist snatches every figure.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Jan. 2026
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Then Barnes snatched all three points with the latest winning goal in a Premier League game Opta has on record (since 2006-07).—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The same day, four homeless tribal men in Minneapolis were also detained, Frank Star Comes Out, president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, said on social media.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
11 Jan. 2026
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SkyCal was overhead as officers detained one person.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nab. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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