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
One Battle took home six trophies, including best picture, while Sinners nabbed four.
—
The Week Us, TheWeek, 23 Mar. 2026
The awards season juggernaut also nabbed two Golden Globes, two Grammys, three BAFTAs, and four Critics’ Choice Awards, among other accolades.
—India Roby, Architectural Digest, 16 Mar. 2026
The Market at 7th Street in uptown and Optimist Hall in Optimist Park both nabbed Best Food Hall nominations in the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2026
Blunt, Jupe and Simmonds returned for that sequel, which nabbed a BAFTA nomination for Best Sound.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2026
The race for the coveted awards is a tight one, though the 30-year-old actor is certainly a top contender, having nabbed a Critics Choice Award and Golden Globe already.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026
Madigan nabbed Critics' Choice and Actor Awards, while Taylor prevailed at the Globes and Mosaku won at the BAFTAs.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
Kathleen Kennedy Before leading Lucasfilm in the Disney era, Kathleen Kennedy was a top-tier producer who nabbed eight nominations for Best Picture.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Mar. 2026
The artificial septet also nabbed the trophy for worst supporting actor.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 14 Mar. 2026
The Week Us, TheWeek, 23 Mar. 2026
The awards season juggernaut also nabbed two Golden Globes, two Grammys, three BAFTAs, and four Critics’ Choice Awards, among other accolades.
—India Roby, Architectural Digest, 16 Mar. 2026
The Market at 7th Street in uptown and Optimist Hall in Optimist Park both nabbed Best Food Hall nominations in the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2026
Blunt, Jupe and Simmonds returned for that sequel, which nabbed a BAFTA nomination for Best Sound.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2026
The race for the coveted awards is a tight one, though the 30-year-old actor is certainly a top contender, having nabbed a Critics Choice Award and Golden Globe already.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026
Madigan nabbed Critics' Choice and Actor Awards, while Taylor prevailed at the Globes and Mosaku won at the BAFTAs.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
Kathleen Kennedy Before leading Lucasfilm in the Disney era, Kathleen Kennedy was a top-tier producer who nabbed eight nominations for Best Picture.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Mar. 2026
The artificial septet also nabbed the trophy for worst supporting actor.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 14 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nabbed
Verb
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Aaron Alex, 26, of Dallas; Bronya Freeman, 24, of Dallas; and Jay Jones, 28, of Lancaster, were arrested March 22 after a five-month investigation, police said.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Mar. 2026
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Over the course of two weeks, two Laurel Highlands teachers were arrested after being accused of having inappropriate relationships with students.—
Ricky Sayer,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The prosecutor said Abril confronted the couple, at which point James MacEgan was shot and killed, before Abril grabbed MacEgan’s wife and pulled her into the creek.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
26 Mar. 2026
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Scheierman also hit two earlier threes, grabbed five rebounds and pestered Gilgeous-Alexander to force a third-quarter turnover to help Boston take down the defending NBA champions 119-109.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The department shared photos of what their officers seized, which included a gun and a baby bottle authorities say was filled with the drug mixture known as lean.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
In March, Hungarian counterterrorism authorities seized two trucks, owned by a Ukrainian bank, that were passing through the country on a routine cash-transport run from Vienna.—
Anne Applebaum,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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About 2% of authors were caught, and their papers rejected, Nature reported.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
26 Mar. 2026
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In the past, ranching in the West has caught flak for its heavy footprint on the environment and overreliance on government subsidies.—
Shi En Kim,
AZCentral.com,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In the case before the 8th Circuit, Joaquin Herrera Avila of Mexico was apprehended in Minneapolis in August 2025 for lacking legal documents authorizing his admission into the United States.—
AUDREY McAVOY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
27 Mar. 2026
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He was later apprehended and found to have a trigger, rifle accessory and a box of ammunition totalling just over $544 in value.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Max Verstappen snatched the torch from Lewis Hamilton and became one of the most unstoppable Formula 1 drivers in the sport from 2021 to 2024.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
29 Mar. 2026
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This is the same person who cut off dribble-drives in a second-half effort that shut down Minnesota in the Sweet 16, who snatched a pass that was nearly out of bounds for a layup.—
Haley Sawyer,
Daily News,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Abril was captured after a 33-hour manhunt.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
26 Mar. 2026
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Along with the album cover, the shared a new black and white portrait of himself, captured by daughter Mary McCartney.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nabbed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nabbed. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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