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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of nabbed
Travis Etienne nabbed a four-year, $52 million deal en route to New Orleans, and Kenneth Gainwell is leaving the Steelers for the Bucs (two-year, $14 million).
—
Cam Inman, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026
John Daghita was nabbed Wednesday night by law enforcement on the island of Saint Martin, FBI Director Kash Patel said on social media.
—Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
And on Wednesday, Amtrak police nabbed 33-year-old Lyla Najjar, who is charged with assault for the attack, said police.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026
McGuire was third in the 100-yard butterfly, while Greeley also nabbed a second place finish in the 100-yard freestyle.
—Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 28 Feb. 2026
Miller retired ahead of the 2014 midterm elections, and Aguilar easily nabbed the seat.
—David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
He got nabbed after almost 14 years on the lam, some of them spent teaching scuba in Egypt.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026
Another melting pot on the other side of the world, Taipei, nabbed the third place spot on InsureandGo's list.
—Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 20 Feb. 2026
Memphis, Tennessee, nabbed the top spot.
—Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Cam Inman, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026
John Daghita was nabbed Wednesday night by law enforcement on the island of Saint Martin, FBI Director Kash Patel said on social media.
—Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
And on Wednesday, Amtrak police nabbed 33-year-old Lyla Najjar, who is charged with assault for the attack, said police.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026
McGuire was third in the 100-yard butterfly, while Greeley also nabbed a second place finish in the 100-yard freestyle.
—Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 28 Feb. 2026
Miller retired ahead of the 2014 midterm elections, and Aguilar easily nabbed the seat.
—David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
He got nabbed after almost 14 years on the lam, some of them spent teaching scuba in Egypt.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026
Another melting pot on the other side of the world, Taipei, nabbed the third place spot on InsureandGo's list.
—Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 20 Feb. 2026
Memphis, Tennessee, nabbed the top spot.
—Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nabbed
Verb
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Between February 27 and March 2, the investigators found and arrested four suspects.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Three people were arrested, and an investigation is underway, Tisch said.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After scoring over Denver center Nikola Jokic in the fourth quarter, James fell to the court and immediately grabbed his left elbow.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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Based on court records, witness testimony and interviews with law enforcement, it’s believed that Sarah Wondra, along with one of the roommates, grabbed Michael and brought him back to the Wondras’ house.—
Alex Brizee
March 5,
Idaho Statesman,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Agents also seized about $80,000 in cash, six firearms and additional quantities of narcotics during arrests carried out Thursday morning.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Government agencies commonly seized land from Black and Latino property owners to expand cities and build infrastructure.—
Ara Rosenthal,
Mercury News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Secure loose outdoor items and adjust plans as necessary so you're not caught outside.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
5 Mar. 2026
-
In 93 career games, Lazard has caught 239 passes for 3,147 yards and 28 touchdowns.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The mass arrests have swelled detention centers and set ICE off on a national chase for space to warehouse those who have been apprehended.—
Morgan Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The mass arrests have swelled detention centers, and set ICE off on a national chase for space to warehouse those who have been apprehended.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Trump has been warning of the Cuban government’s downfall since his administration struck Venezuela and snatched Maduro in a secret raid on his compound.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
8 Mar. 2026
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The former is now in shackles in a New York detention facility after being snatched from Caracas by US special forces in an extraordinary overnight raid.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Astronomers captured the most detailed image yet of our galaxy’s center.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The observation team, led by the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland, captured two additional measurements that proved key to improving the orbit estimate.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nabbed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nabbed. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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