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

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

Federal immigration authorities are focused on nabbing people who have overstayed visas and are traveling domestically. — Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 6 Aug. 2026

Speaking with Tampa Bay News 10, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission program coordinator Sarah Funck confirmed that professional python hunter Tom Rahill received $10,000 for personally nabbing 96 of the apex predators. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 5 Aug. 2026

Arienne Mandi joined as a new series regular, nabbing the role of Officer Eva Imani for Season 13. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 2 July 2026