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
Suzuki also recorded an outfield assist in the first by nabbing Bryce Eldridge trying to stretch a single into a double.
—
Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026
The Patriots also improved at safety, nabbing Kevin Byard, and bolstered their offensive line with guard Alijah Vera-Tucker.
—Chad Graff, New York Times, 1 June 2026
Images of Life divides Lucas’ career into three chronological and loose stylistic categories, each nabbing an LP of its own.
—Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 23 May 2026
Chef Depina of The 7th Street Standard, last year’s People’s Choice winner, still had a good showing, nabbing second place in both categories.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 20 May 2026
Thanks to Durán nabbing Mookie Betts trying to steal as part of a strikeout double play to end the first inning and Shohei Ohtani trying to steal second after a leadoff walk in the fourth, King had thrown just 73 pitches heading into the sixth inning.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2026
In a reflection of its growing Hollywood clout, YouTube last year inked a deal for exclusive global rights to the Oscars awards ceremony beginning in 2029 and running through 2033, nabbing the media rights from Disney’s ABC.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 29 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
Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026
The Patriots also improved at safety, nabbing Kevin Byard, and bolstered their offensive line with guard Alijah Vera-Tucker.
—Chad Graff, New York Times, 1 June 2026
Images of Life divides Lucas’ career into three chronological and loose stylistic categories, each nabbing an LP of its own.
—Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 23 May 2026
Chef Depina of The 7th Street Standard, last year’s People’s Choice winner, still had a good showing, nabbing second place in both categories.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 20 May 2026
Thanks to Durán nabbing Mookie Betts trying to steal as part of a strikeout double play to end the first inning and Shohei Ohtani trying to steal second after a leadoff walk in the fourth, King had thrown just 73 pitches heading into the sixth inning.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2026
In a reflection of its growing Hollywood clout, YouTube last year inked a deal for exclusive global rights to the Oscars awards ceremony beginning in 2029 and running through 2033, nabbing the media rights from Disney’s ABC.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 29 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nabbing
Verb
-
Despite the agency's aggressive tactics to accomplish this — including arresting immigrants inside immigration courts — the quota was never met.—
Sergio Martínez-Beltrán,
NPR,
15 June 2026
-
Video posted online showed police arresting a woman who had climbed atop an Amazon vehicle near MSG.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Farage, Reform’s attention-grabbing but divisive leader, was a curiously low-key presence.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
19 June 2026
-
With that in mind, if the Pacers want to acquire a draft pick, following their past and grabbing one in the 30s makes good sense.—
Tony East,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Hezbollah and Israel went to war shortly after the outbreak of the wider conflict, with Hezbollah firing rockets and drones at civilian communities in northern Israel and Israel seizing large swaths of southern Lebanon.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
20 June 2026
-
Federal immigration agents were seizing people across the city.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
How about Matt Capps, a closer on a one-year deal, for a young catching prospect with the Minnesota Twins named Wilson Ramos.—
Barry Svrluga,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
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In 2016, a B-52 crashed during takeoff from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, catching fire.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Police posted video of the raid on social media, showing officers collecting evidence at the scene and apprehending the suspect.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 June 2026
-
The Nodaway County Sheriff’s Office, United States Marshals Service and New Mexico State Police assisted in apprehending Jones, Hann said.—
Caroline Zimmerman
May 28,
Kansas City Star,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Two balls, two strikes and the Vibe on the verge of snatching back some momentum.—
Latif Love
June 18,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2026
-
Hart willingly did the dirty work, snatching up rebounds rather than points.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
Verb
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With her mother capturing the encounter on camera, Myah recently came face-to-face with the unexpected visitor in her Riverside Park neighborhood.—
Joan Murray,
CBS News,
21 June 2026
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These inputs are for capturing vocals and acoustic instruments with zero hiss.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nabbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nabbing. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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