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
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Recent Examples of nabbing
More targets for Jackson arrived Saturday, with DeCosta nabbing another bigger receiver (Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt) in the fourth round and adding tight ends (SMU’s Matthew Hibner and Alabama’s Josh Cuevas) in the fourth and fifth rounds, respectively.
—
Michael Silver, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
On Friday, April 24, the Illinois Lottery announced in a press release that a DuPage County resident, who hasn't been named, was the latest winner after purchasing a Millionaire Club Instant Ticket, nabbing the $1 million prize fund.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
For the first time in club history, the Rapids did not lose at BMO Stadium on Wednesday night, finally nabbing a point in the team’s 10th-ever trip to face the Black and Gold.
—Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026
Swalwell was seen as a likely frontrunner in the California gubernatorial primary, nabbing a number of prominent union organizations’ endorsements ahead of the revelations.
—Jonathan Carter, The Hill, 13 Apr. 2026
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
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
Michael Silver, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
On Friday, April 24, the Illinois Lottery announced in a press release that a DuPage County resident, who hasn't been named, was the latest winner after purchasing a Millionaire Club Instant Ticket, nabbing the $1 million prize fund.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
For the first time in club history, the Rapids did not lose at BMO Stadium on Wednesday night, finally nabbing a point in the team’s 10th-ever trip to face the Black and Gold.
—Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026
Swalwell was seen as a likely frontrunner in the California gubernatorial primary, nabbing a number of prominent union organizations’ endorsements ahead of the revelations.
—Jonathan Carter, The Hill, 13 Apr. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nabbing
Verb
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The affidavit further alleges that Bell gave arresting officers the name of her older sister.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
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The Houston Police Department’s policy has barred officers from arresting or detaining someone based on immigration status since 1990.—
Anna Giaritelli,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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There’s also significant doubt among Republicans as to whether DeSantis will even accomplish the goal of grabbing at least four more seats.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 May 2026
-
The shortage started grabbing headlines early last month.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
1 May 2026
Verb
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That’s not currently the case with José Caballero, a career utilityman, seizing his shot to start at shortstop over the past few weeks.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
3 May 2026
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Unlike Friday’s Oaks, where Ortiz had Always a Runner near the leaders before taking charge through the final turn and soaring past Meaning for a 1 1/4-length win, seizing the Derby required everything from jockey and mount.—
Gary B. Graves,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
Verb
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The Chicago White Sox have been searching for offensive production from the catching position.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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Sophomore Nate Roberts is a 6-5, 240-pounder who has blocking experience and showed off versatility catching passes in the spring.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 compelled authorities in northern free states to assist in apprehending and returning those who escaped back to slavery.—
Jeremy Mennis,
The Conversation,
1 May 2026
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Aided by the Coast Guard's Cutter Florence Finch, Air and Marine Operations' Long Beach Marine Unit crew intercepted the boat near San Nicolas Island, apprehending 29 Mexican nationals.—
Robert McGreevy,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Joaquín Guzmán, a former leader of the Chapitos, confessed to the 2024 kidnapping of Zambada, snatching him at a meeting, flying him by private plane to the United States and handing him over to authorities.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
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This adjustable, two-piece lanyard set helps reduce the chances of a passerby or someone speeding by on a scooter from snatching your phone.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Wild Horse Reservoir project would create a 95,000-acre-foot storage system designed to help meet demand through 2075, capturing water from both the Colorado River Basin and Arkansas River Basin, according to project plans from the City of Aurora Water Department.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
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Israel has since carried out hundreds of airstrikes and launched a ground invasion of southern Lebanon, capturing dozens of towns and villages along the border.—
Bassem Mroue,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nabbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nabbing. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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