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
Lucas signed six freshmen and added seven transfers to fill out the UM roster, nabbing key players like Malik Reneau and Tre Donaldson in the portal and securing commitments from freshmen Shelton Henderson and Dante Allen.
—
Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2026
The Chicago native worked for Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and George Fred Keck during the 1950s before nabbing two architecture degrees in as many years from Yale’s School of Architecture and then putting out his own shingle in 1962.
—Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
Pictured left on Sea Hunt in 1958, Bridges won his first Oscar in 2010, nabbing the award for Best Actor for Crazy Heart.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Mar. 2026
Celebrity sales often occur in Bel Air or Malibu, where, in 2025, fans of the late singer Tom Petty were allowed to roam his Mediterranean-style estate, nabbing everything from bath towels to a casserole dish once used by the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer.
—Zoey Goto, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2026
But the Longhorns may benefit from a chance at nabbing another win, even if an Ole Miss squad led by former Texas coach Chris Beard won’t provide an opportunity at a Quad 1 victory.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 8 Mar. 2026
While there are plenty of places to dine on-site—an open-air deck, a solarium, and an outdoor grotto—I’d recommend nabbing a reservation.
—Jacqueline Kehoe, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2026
After nabbing a bronze medal in the twenty-kilometre biathlon, Lægreid took an interview that quickly became a tearful monologue, not about his sport but about personal matters.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2026
In Colorado, where Johnston and police chiefs have cited the cameras’ assistance in nabbing criminals, the technology has also led to wrongful accusations of crimes.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 16 Feb. 2026
Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2026
The Chicago native worked for Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and George Fred Keck during the 1950s before nabbing two architecture degrees in as many years from Yale’s School of Architecture and then putting out his own shingle in 1962.
—Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
Pictured left on Sea Hunt in 1958, Bridges won his first Oscar in 2010, nabbing the award for Best Actor for Crazy Heart.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Mar. 2026
Celebrity sales often occur in Bel Air or Malibu, where, in 2025, fans of the late singer Tom Petty were allowed to roam his Mediterranean-style estate, nabbing everything from bath towels to a casserole dish once used by the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer.
—Zoey Goto, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2026
But the Longhorns may benefit from a chance at nabbing another win, even if an Ole Miss squad led by former Texas coach Chris Beard won’t provide an opportunity at a Quad 1 victory.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 8 Mar. 2026
While there are plenty of places to dine on-site—an open-air deck, a solarium, and an outdoor grotto—I’d recommend nabbing a reservation.
—Jacqueline Kehoe, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2026
After nabbing a bronze medal in the twenty-kilometre biathlon, Lægreid took an interview that quickly became a tearful monologue, not about his sport but about personal matters.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2026
In Colorado, where Johnston and police chiefs have cited the cameras’ assistance in nabbing criminals, the technology has also led to wrongful accusations of crimes.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 16 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nabbing
Verb
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The arresting officer wrote that Baird showed multiple signs of intoxication, including a strong odor of alcohol, watery and glassy eyes and difficulty standing without assistance.—
Austin Sanders,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Mar. 2026
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Finding indigenous Iranians who can lead this charge will not be easy, given the regime’s decades of hollowing out the opposition by killing or arresting dissidents with leadership skills.—
Dennis Ross,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Mark was fouled after grabbing the ensuing loose ball and made both free throws to ice the game, 77-71.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
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The video, filmed by Mortensen, appears to show Paul hitting, grabbing and throwing three barstools at him.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Even after seizing a wanted dictator out of Venezuela and while monitoring an air war in Iran.—
John Scott Lewinski,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
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But seizing it will require more than capital and talent.—
François Candelon,
Fortune,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But for most fans not wealthy enough to buy VIP ticket packages, catching a glimpse in-person required navigating a complicated and convoluted system just for the chance to pay high prices.—
Alex Mayyasi,
NPR,
17 Mar. 2026
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Scientists track meteors through a network of special cameras that help capture the night sky, but more members of the public are catching them on cellphones and security cameras of their own.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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An immigration approach that focuses on apprehending dangerous criminals and steers clear of raiding businesses might help the labor market’s loss of workers.—
Matt Peterson,
CNBC,
6 Mar. 2026
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Federal agents have targeted schools and bus stops, apprehending adults and children.—
Daniel Cueto-Villalobos,
The Conversation,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Sixth District Commissioner Donna Miller was in the latter group, successfully snatching the Democratic nomination for Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
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PlayMonster Spoons in a Case What better way to spend time together as a family or with loved ones on Easter than viciously snatching utensils from one another in a heated game of 'Spoons'?—
Chaunie Brusie,
Parents,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Then be sure to check out our collection of the best cameras and lenses for astrophotography, along with our beginners guide to capturing the glowing band of the Milky Way with a DSLR camera.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
15 Mar. 2026
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The film unfolds through poetic and carefully composed images of the girls journeying through the mountainous landscape – an environment that reflects the girls’ inner world, according to Chen, capturing that fragile moment before childhood gives way to adulthood.—
Lise Pedersen,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nabbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nabbing. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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