1
as in arrested
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 grabbed
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly
a pickpocket nabbed my wallet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of nabbed
The squad nabbed the championship title in International Coed Non-Tumbling at Cheerleading Worlds in Florida, which Belichick attended in support of his girlfriend.
—
Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 3 May 2026
The two nabbed the roles after a search on both sides of the Atlantic in December.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 1 May 2026
Hayes claimed four of them and Cushing nabbed one.
—Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026
Garcia sprinted off exiting through a side entrance and evaded authorities until cops nabbed him on March 25, 2026.
—Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
Giants third base coach Hector Borg waved Lee home, trying to take advantage of the wet conditions and a lazy throw back to the infield, but the Dodgers nabbed Lee with feet to spare.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
Last May, more than 100 workers were arrested at a construction site in Tallahassee, and 84 people were nabbed at the Delta Downs racetrack in Vinton, Louisiana.
—Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2026
The couple nabbed a spot at the nearby RV campsite, making a mini vacation out of the weekend.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026
An undercover operation targeting child predators nabbed 15 people from across Central Florida, the Orlando Police Department announced Thursday.
—Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 3 May 2026
The two nabbed the roles after a search on both sides of the Atlantic in December.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 1 May 2026
Hayes claimed four of them and Cushing nabbed one.
—Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026
Garcia sprinted off exiting through a side entrance and evaded authorities until cops nabbed him on March 25, 2026.
—Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
Giants third base coach Hector Borg waved Lee home, trying to take advantage of the wet conditions and a lazy throw back to the infield, but the Dodgers nabbed Lee with feet to spare.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
Last May, more than 100 workers were arrested at a construction site in Tallahassee, and 84 people were nabbed at the Delta Downs racetrack in Vinton, Louisiana.
—Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2026
The couple nabbed a spot at the nearby RV campsite, making a mini vacation out of the weekend.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026
An undercover operation targeting child predators nabbed 15 people from across Central Florida, the Orlando Police Department announced Thursday.
—Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nabbed
Verb
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No remains were uncovered, but a month later, both Flores men were arrested and charged in connection with Smart’s murder.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
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In 2024 a total of 219 unhoused people were arrested on this charge.—
Michael Perkins,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2026
Verb
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Sabres winger Zach Benson took advantage of Lane Hutson stumbling at the defensive blue line, and grabbed a loose puck before setting up Josh Doan for the opening goal less than five minutes into the game.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
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When he was found, deputies said Ortiz became belligerent, yelled at employees, threatened to harm them with a gun, and grabbed one of the resort employees.—
Steven Yablonski,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
Verb
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He was also ordered to pay nearly $111 million in restitution and forfeit roughly $17 million that the government seized from bank accounts.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
-
So far this year, 12 guns have been seized by Annapolis Police, according to department data.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
Verb
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And Bona, a second-year reserve, got caught too many times reaching in the cookie jar while defending Towns.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
7 May 2026
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Before that drama began, however, five of the first six outs of the game were grounders to Deegan, which caught the eye of Dundee-Crown coach Andrew Zimmer.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
Verb
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In its ruling, the court found that, pursuant to federal immigration law, only recent immigrants apprehended at the border or a point of entry — such as an airport — can be categorically denied bond.—
Lautaro Grinspan,
AJC.com,
9 May 2026
-
He was apprehended trying to cross into Mexico by way of Sierra Blanca in Texas.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Bain snatched the hat but marched defiantly straight to the stage to greet Goodell.—
Rick Stroud,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 May 2026
-
Don’t count your eggs until they’re snatched.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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How Disney's facial recognition works at park entrances At the gate, a photo of your face is captured and converted into unique numerical values.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
-
In real life, the pair’s crime spree at the height of the Depression-era captured the focus of the nation before they were shot and killed.—
Staff report,
Oc Register,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nabbed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nabbed. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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