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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nabbed
Beyond Sentimental Value, several other non-English-language films also had a big morning; that film and Brazil’s The Secret Agent were nominated in the main best-picture category as well as in best international feature, while Trier nabbed a best-director nomination too.
—
Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 22 Jan. 2026
The acclaimed guitarist, who is now 38, has nabbed seven Grammy nominations over the years.
—Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
Netflix nabbed 16 nominations, as the streaming giant continues its quest for a best picture win.
—Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
The Beatles, the British pop rock outfit, nabbed an even 20 smashes, and for decades, the Fab Four have not faced any real competition.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
The movie just nabbed a pair of Golden Globes — Wagner Moura for best actor and best international film.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 18 Jan. 2026
With the pick, everyone but Thicke now has a correct guess to their name — Jeong correctly guessed David Ortiz was Googly Eyes in the premiere, McCarthy-Wahlberg nabbed the Croissants, and Ora called out her longtime pal, Haddish.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, Oscar hopefuls Frankenstein, Hamnet, and Marty Supreme each nabbed three.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 7 Jan. 2026
Awards season has kicked off with the 2026 Critics Choice Awards, and multiple stars nabbed shiny trophies.
—Rachel Choy, Refinery29, 5 Jan. 2026
Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 22 Jan. 2026
The acclaimed guitarist, who is now 38, has nabbed seven Grammy nominations over the years.
—Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
Netflix nabbed 16 nominations, as the streaming giant continues its quest for a best picture win.
—Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
The Beatles, the British pop rock outfit, nabbed an even 20 smashes, and for decades, the Fab Four have not faced any real competition.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
The movie just nabbed a pair of Golden Globes — Wagner Moura for best actor and best international film.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 18 Jan. 2026
With the pick, everyone but Thicke now has a correct guess to their name — Jeong correctly guessed David Ortiz was Googly Eyes in the premiere, McCarthy-Wahlberg nabbed the Croissants, and Ora called out her longtime pal, Haddish.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, Oscar hopefuls Frankenstein, Hamnet, and Marty Supreme each nabbed three.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 7 Jan. 2026
Awards season has kicked off with the 2026 Critics Choice Awards, and multiple stars nabbed shiny trophies.
—Rachel Choy, Refinery29, 5 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nabbed
Verb
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State data show that in 2022, police arrested 1,577 repeat violent offenders.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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Luis Martinez Agramonte, 25, of Dorchester, faces multiple firearm and drug possession and distribution charges after Boston Police Department officers arrested him Friday morning.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Jalen Duran scored 20 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, Daniss Jenkins added 17 points and the Detroit Pistons never trailed while cruising to their fourth straight victory, 112-104 over the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
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The Cougars grabbed a 25-5 lead in the first 10 minutes and kept a safe distance throughout.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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How populists named what the centre wouldn't Marine Le Pen seized on the contradiction immediately.—
Güney Yıldız,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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During the search, authorities seized two rifles, two shotguns and one handgun, along with ammunition, prosecutors said.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In 2021, further south in Tulum, two tourists — one a California travel blogger born in India and a German national — were killed when they apparently were caught in the crossfire of a gunfight between rival drug dea.—
Janay Reece,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
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One rarely gains a sense of what people look like (beyond the son’s bulky physique and shambling movements, in which the mother ‘caught a flash of her brother’).—
Dan Sheehan,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In all, eight suspects were apprehended, ranging in age from 17 to 24, from Inglewood, Compton and Los Angeles.—
Ryanne Mena,
Oc Register,
24 Jan. 2026
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Officers have apprehended more than 3,000 undocumented immigrants in Minneapolis over the last six weeks alone, DHS said.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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The dictator who imprisoned and tortured Venezuelan politicians, activists, and ordinary people was snatched from his bed and put on an American plane with his wife, Cilia Flores.—
Gisela Salim-Peyer,
The Atlantic,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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After Japan's surrender at the end of the war, Mino was captured as a prisoner of war and sent to a Siberian prison camp in Russia.—
Ashley Sharp,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
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Last month, Kelly captured on camera one of his profanity-laden confrontations with Hegseth.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nabbed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nabbed. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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