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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

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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nabbing Fatih Akin is no stranger to the festival circuit, having wowed Berlin with his Golden Bear-winning Head-On in 2004 and nabbing best screenplay in Cannes for The Edge of Heaven in 2007. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nabbing
  1. arresting
  2. grabbing
  3. seizing
  4. catching
  5. apprehending
  6. snatching
  7. capturing
Verb
  • The arresting image is a metaphor for the feminine condition, Porodina says.
    — Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026
  • What deputies say happened The arresting deputy reported several signs of possible impairment, including bloodshot and watery eyes, slurred speech and difficulty maintaining his balance.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of arresting
Verb
  • Michael the Lawyer and Ben the Barrel Racer go into the third crypt (Alan calls them gay Lara Crofts) and have the option of grabbing $15,000 in gold or $5,000 and a clue about the Traitors.
    — Alice Burton, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Smith’s own reflection points to why the day-to-day matters more than any headline-grabbing cleanse.
    — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of grabbing
Verb
  • Last week, Houthi rebels in Yemen launched a lightning offensive against Yemeni government forces, seizing control of the country’s entire Red Sea coast, including the towns and islands around the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The rebels raced down the country’s Red Sea coast more than a week ago, seizing the key port city of Mokha and islands on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the southern end of the Red Sea.
    — Toqa Ezzidin, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of seizing
Verb
  • The Department of Water Resources has a program that has provided funding for local agencies to buy dozens of pumps, build 12 water-catching basins and clear 600 acres of land for more basins.
    — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The light-catching shade makes a statement without sacrificing sophistication.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of catching
Verb
  • The film cuts between Murray cautiously opening the suspicious package and FBI agents apprehending Kaczynski decades later.
    — Jane LaCroix, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation initially contacted Roswell police and asked for assistance locating and apprehending Spruill.
    — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of apprehending
Verb
  • Not just college kids, but Others cheering for Texas’ football team and snatching up Texas’ degrees.
    — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • London — Images of masked men riding along London's streets on mopeds or electric bikes and snatching phones straight out of the hand of unsuspecting tourists and locals have gone viral in recent years.
    — Emmet Lyons, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of snatching
Verb
  • She was known for her work chronicling the early punk rock scene, capturing artists like Iggy Pop, the Ramones, Debbie Harry and Blondie, Richard Hell, the Sex Pistols, and the Clash.
    — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Brands can therefore overinvest in capturing demand that already exists while underfunding media that replenishes it.
    — Dani Nadel, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of capturing

Browse Nearby Words

nabbed
nabbing
nabe
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Cite this Entry

“Nabbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nabbing. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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