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
That flexibility would be extra useful this offseason, with two teams nabbing players in the expansion draft and most veterans hitting some form of free agency following the signing of a new collective bargaining agreement.
—
Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 13 Apr. 2026
Regardless, in the next episode, McKay ends up nabbing a date with the patient after he’s discharged.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
Widening our view to the moon’s more recent epochs requires nabbing more youthful material from the surface.
—Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 7 Apr. 2026
Raman was more popular with white and Asian voters, nabbing support from 12% of the white voters surveyed and 14% of the Asian voters surveyed.
—Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
Spiders are among Earth’s most resourceful predators, nabbing prey by any means necessary.
—Matthew Cordes, The Conversation, 6 Apr. 2026
But imagine the fun for a fan base in celebrating a shot at the buzzer to trim the deficit from 16 to 14 in March to take one more step toward nabbing a game-changing talent in the ensuing summer’s draft.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 4 Apr. 2026
The singer won her first Grammy in 2020, nabbing three awards for best pop solo performance, best urban contemporary album and best traditional R&B performance.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Maximize your savings by nabbing multi-pass family bookings.
—Jamie Spain, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026
Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 13 Apr. 2026
Regardless, in the next episode, McKay ends up nabbing a date with the patient after he’s discharged.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
Widening our view to the moon’s more recent epochs requires nabbing more youthful material from the surface.
—Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 7 Apr. 2026
Raman was more popular with white and Asian voters, nabbing support from 12% of the white voters surveyed and 14% of the Asian voters surveyed.
—Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
Spiders are among Earth’s most resourceful predators, nabbing prey by any means necessary.
—Matthew Cordes, The Conversation, 6 Apr. 2026
But imagine the fun for a fan base in celebrating a shot at the buzzer to trim the deficit from 16 to 14 in March to take one more step toward nabbing a game-changing talent in the ensuing summer’s draft.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 4 Apr. 2026
The singer won her first Grammy in 2020, nabbing three awards for best pop solo performance, best urban contemporary album and best traditional R&B performance.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Maximize your savings by nabbing multi-pass family bookings.
—Jamie Spain, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nabbing
Verb
-
The task force did not answer questions about the use of traffic stops as a primary means of arresting immigrants who are not authorized to be in the United States.—
Wendi C. Thomas,
ProPublica,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The arresting officers had their badges out.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
One person in a Gerrit Cole jersey threw a nasty right hook after grabbing someone from behind.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Former Mayor Bill de Blasio similarly drew ridicule when he was caught using a knife and fork to eat pizza instead of grabbing the slice with his hands like any real New Yorker paisano would.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Road closures have been seizing the country’s leafy capital, as vans disgorge military style kit bags and American personnel to match at top hotels.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Human Rights Watch said authorities have taken sweeping steps to curb religious practice, including tearing down churches and crosses, blocking gatherings at unregistered churches and seizing religious materials not approved by the state.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The designs are eye catching and beautiful, inspired by South Florida's beaches and ocean water.—
Najahe Sherman,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
With offensive coordinator Brad Idzik taking over play-calling, the Panthers have a much more pressing need for pass-catching playmakers than backfield bodies.—
Mike Kaye
April 14,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Just before the 2026 season, former Glory defensive tackle and eight-time All-Pro Syreeta Gapelu brought even more attention to the team by tackling and apprehending a man attempting to steal her car.—
PJ Green
April 16,
Kansas City Star,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Los Angeles ran from 2009 to 2023, centered around the high-stakes world of a division of NCIS that is charged with apprehending dangerous and elusive criminals, who pose a threat to the nation’s security.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The suspects — Mihail Alexandru, 20, Versalona Nicu, 26, and Mihaela Alexandru, 23 — are accused of snatching necklaces from victims, according to police.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
North Carolina, Arizona and Florida are also snatching away companies.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Denver Post,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On Thursday, April 16, 2026, jurors were shown surveillance footage and audio from inside Horner’s delivery truck, including portions capturing Athena’s final moments before her death, PEOPLE previously reported.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
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Neville took his cameras behind the scenes at 30 Rock’s Studio 8H during multiple production weeks, capturing the frenzy of pitch meetings, writing night, table reads and dress rehearsals.—
Rebecca Keegan,
NBC news,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nabbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nabbing. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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