1
as in arresting
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 grabbing
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 nabbing
Among wide receivers with at least 60 routes run, Diggs ranks first in the NFL in receptions per target, nabbing 87 percent of the balls thrown his way without any drops.
—
Chad Graff, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
The original Peaky Blinders series culminated with season six in 2022, shortly before Murphy went on to star in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, nabbing an Academy Award.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2025
Basically, nabbing a Webroot plan today is another no-brainer.
—Pcmag Brandx For Webroot, PC Magazine, 23 Sep. 2025
Severance led the way with 27 nominations, followed by The Penguin with 24 nods and The Studio nabbing 23 nominations.
—Dory Jackson, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
The Croatian netminder — who starts ahead of former Inter Miami goalie Drake Callender — opted to react instead of predict en route to nabbing Messi’s weak lofted shot.
—Franco Panizo, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2025
But after nabbing the part of the stern hotel manager Valentina in the second season of The White Lotus (2022), Impacciatore was launched into Hollywood fame.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025
Photos show hunters nabbing a 14-foot alligator This story has been updated to add photos.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Many wondered how the Packers were able to be all stealthy in nabbing Parsons.
—Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
Chad Graff, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
The original Peaky Blinders series culminated with season six in 2022, shortly before Murphy went on to star in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, nabbing an Academy Award.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2025
Basically, nabbing a Webroot plan today is another no-brainer.
—Pcmag Brandx For Webroot, PC Magazine, 23 Sep. 2025
Severance led the way with 27 nominations, followed by The Penguin with 24 nods and The Studio nabbing 23 nominations.
—Dory Jackson, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
The Croatian netminder — who starts ahead of former Inter Miami goalie Drake Callender — opted to react instead of predict en route to nabbing Messi’s weak lofted shot.
—Franco Panizo, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2025
But after nabbing the part of the stern hotel manager Valentina in the second season of The White Lotus (2022), Impacciatore was launched into Hollywood fame.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025
Photos show hunters nabbing a 14-foot alligator This story has been updated to add photos.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Many wondered how the Packers were able to be all stealthy in nabbing Parsons.
—Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nabbing
Verb
-
The video concludes with the music, blending heritage and innovation into one visually arresting finale.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Oct. 2025
-
When the photographer Mary Ellen Mark arrived in New York City, in 1966, one of her strategies for finding arresting images was to attend parades and other large gatherings, seeking out subjects not in the main flow of the action but on the periphery.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Securing the Shield ensures the top seed for Philly and home-field advantage throughout the MLS Cup playoffs for a team that has quietly gone about a consistent season without grabbing much in the way of attention.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Without strangers lunging at her and grabbing her forearm.—
Romina Ruiz-Goiriena,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The American withdrawal from Iraq in 2011 created the vacuum into which Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi marched, declaring a caliphate and seizing territory the size of Britain.—
Aviva Klompas,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The ultra-orthodox group, with their leader Eretz Zakay, had a long history of illegally seizing Palestinian property across Jerusalem.—
Ryan Byrnes,
Literary Hub,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Will Shipley would be more of the pass-catching value, and Dillon the early-down and goal-line option, not to say both can’t do both things — hence, the hot hand (and hence for the second time).—
Jake Ciely,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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But the Patriots gave it right back as Rhamondre Stevenson, who has had trouble fumbling early this season, was stripped after catching a pass from Maye.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The swift police response and use of video surveillance technology proved crucial in identifying and apprehending the shooter.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
-
But also on board the ship that night is this detective who is charged with apprehending Providence.—
Olivia Petty,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Four innings before the Jays finished Saturday’s 10-1 blowout win over the New York Yankees, snatching a series-opening victory in the American League Division Series, Gausman was relegated to spectator.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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Finney triumphed at the end of that film, dispatching child-snatching serial killer the Grabber (Ethan Hawke) with help from the ghosts of his previous victims and one of Gwen’s psychic visions.—
Katie Rife,
IndieWire,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Each verse is a heartfelt exploration of sorrow, capturing the complexity of human emotions in the face of separation.—
Tere Aguilera,
Billboard,
3 Oct. 2025
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The best part for her was capturing on video the exact moment the doors opened to reveal a firefighter standing above them, ready to help.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nabbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nabbing. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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