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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of nabbing
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
After nabbing the stones, the thieves piled into a gray Dodge Caravan, which was last seen fleeing eastbound on Ave.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2026
The entire playoff run showed just how much work the Patriots still have to do up front, even after nabbing four new starters last offseason, including a first- and third-round pick.
—Chad Graff, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
The series, which has previously taken place in Hawaii, Italy and Thailand, is an awards magnet, winning 16 Emmys and nabbing 66 nominations.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 10 Feb. 2026
Neon International will also shop the film, which has India Amarteifio, Ayo Edebiri and Toheeb Jimoh in its ensemble cast, in Berlin after nabbing the foreign sales rights.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 6 Feb. 2026
The Trojans also dominated on the boards, nabbing 40 rebounds, 11 offensive, as a team compared to Indiana’s 25 and eight.
—Sean Campbell, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
The track also became the first K-Pop song to win a Grammy on Sunday after nabbing the award for Best Song Written for Visual Media.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 3 Feb. 2026
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
After nabbing the stones, the thieves piled into a gray Dodge Caravan, which was last seen fleeing eastbound on Ave.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2026
The entire playoff run showed just how much work the Patriots still have to do up front, even after nabbing four new starters last offseason, including a first- and third-round pick.
—Chad Graff, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
The series, which has previously taken place in Hawaii, Italy and Thailand, is an awards magnet, winning 16 Emmys and nabbing 66 nominations.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 10 Feb. 2026
Neon International will also shop the film, which has India Amarteifio, Ayo Edebiri and Toheeb Jimoh in its ensemble cast, in Berlin after nabbing the foreign sales rights.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 6 Feb. 2026
The Trojans also dominated on the boards, nabbing 40 rebounds, 11 offensive, as a team compared to Indiana’s 25 and eight.
—Sean Campbell, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
The track also became the first K-Pop song to win a Grammy on Sunday after nabbing the award for Best Song Written for Visual Media.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 3 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nabbing
Verb
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People in bureaucratic roles witnessed immigration and customs officers violently arresting people in the court hallways.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
25 Feb. 2026
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In the past month, community reports began to surface online of immigration agents detaining and arresting people in the Kansas City metro.—
Kendrick Calfee
Updated February 25,
Kansas City Star,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Indiana lawmakers are expected to vote on some spotlight-grabbing bills today, including one that would pave the way for the Chicago Bears to move to Hammond, Indiana.—
Kaitlin Lange,
IndyStar,
27 Feb. 2026
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The Smart House Inc dryer vent cleaner is an effective tool for grabbing lint that clogs hoses.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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After the Richmond killings, police served search warrants at Fluker and Westbrook’s homes, seizing seven guns and other items related to the investigation, the complaint says.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
28 Feb. 2026
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These concerns grew acute in August 2024, when Ukraine launched its first offensive across the border into Russia, seizing a large chunk of territory in the region of Kursk.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Nataliia Sukhar left her home in northeastern Kharkiv after the war broke out, catching a 15-hour train to Berlin with her then 5-year-old son, Gleb, on a journey followed by NBC News.—
Yuliya Talmazan,
NBC news,
24 Feb. 2026
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Andrea gets up and hurries across the street, catching the doctor at the clinic entrance.—
Rodrigo Hasbún,
Literary Hub,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Federal agents have targeted schools and bus stops, apprehending adults and children.—
Daniel Cueto-Villalobos,
The Conversation,
26 Feb. 2026
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Mansfield Police Department Mansfield PD thanked the Missouri and Arkansas Highway Patrols for their help in safely recovering the missing child and apprehending the suspect.—
S.E. Jenkins,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Alongside Palasciano, speakers assailed the influx of Indian Americans, from accusing them of snatching the American Dream to criticizing their driving skills and even blaming them for traffic.—
Sarah Bahari,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Feb. 2026
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Guards shouting orders and snatching toys from small hands.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Photographers hoping to immortalize their own views of the blood moon should read our expert's guide to capturing a total lunar eclipse, along with our roundups of the best cameras and lenses for astrophotography.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
1 Mar. 2026
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Shortly after the man appeared on camera, the surveillance system appeared to stop capturing video.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nabbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nabbing. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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