Synonyms of nabbing

nabbing

verb

present participle of nab

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

• arresting
• seizing
• grabbing
• apprehending
• restraining
• detaining
• capturing
• snatching
• nailing
• nicking
• committing
• pinching
• catching
• busting
• running in
• pulling in
• collaring
• jailing
• snaring
• trapping
• picking up
• bagging
• imprisoning
• hooking
• incarcerating
• landing
• getting
• confining
• holding
• grappling
• snapping (up)
• handcuffing
• interning
• locking (up)
• binding
• remanding
• jugging
• shackling
• fettering
• immuring
• manacling
• trammeling
• enchaining
• rearresting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discharging
• releasing
• springing
• freeing
• loosening
• liberating
• loosing
• emancipating
• unchaining
• unbinding

2

as in grabbing

to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly

a pickpocket nabbed my wallet

Synonyms & Similar Words

• grabbing
• catching
• snatching
• seizing
• capturing
• snagging
• getting
• landing
• snaring
• trapping
• bagging
• corralling
• hooking
• nailing
• netting
• copping
• collaring
• grappling
• rapping
• taking hold (of)
• snapping (up)
• glomming
• arresting
• clutching
• nobbling
• securing
• holding
• apprehending
• grasping
• detaining
• roping
• lassoing
• clasping
• gripping
• kidnapping
• cornering
• abducting
• gloving
• ensnaring
• entrapping
• baying
• wresting
• haltering
• entangling
• fastening (on)
• rending
• latching (on or onto)
• meshing
• fisting
• enmeshing
• spiriting (away or off)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• missing
• releasing
• freeing
• discharging
• liberating
• dropping
• loosening
• unhanding

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of nabbing

The group has been on an acquisition spree over the past few years, nabbing control and minority stakes in several fellow firms. — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2026

Boots was right, and the Eyes Wide Shut vibes prompt the team to make an exit (after nabbing some Champagne bottles). — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2026

After successfully nabbing a role in Brokeback Mountain, Hathaway dropped out of NYU. — Alyssa Modos, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026

Backed by Searchlight Pictures, Wild Horse Nine is McDonagh’s follow-up to The Banshees of Inisherin, which won Venice’s best screenplay and best actor prizes in 2022 on the way to nabbing nine Oscar nominations. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026

But these ventures are tiny compared to the ranchlands, timberlands, and cropfields many one-percenters are nabbing. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2026

Finishing in 32nd place and nabbing the highest draft lottery odds still matter — even if the persistent betrayal of the NHL’s draft lottery balls remains an open wound in this market. — Thomas Drance, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

The Silence of the Lambs is probably the most successful thriller in Oscar history, nabbing awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Actor, and Best Adapted Screenplay. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Aug. 2026

In nabbing Purdy’s 4-yard, desperation heave before cornerback Riq Woolen could with 1 1/2 minutes to go, Tonges put himself on the NFL map as a fourth-year veteran. — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2026