1
as in seizes
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 grabs
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 nabs
This bundle also includes one month of eero Plus, which nabs you exra features like parental controls to help set schedules and content filters.
—
George Yang, PC Magazine, 31 Mar. 2026
Infielder Chris Hacopian barrels a ball, but Jaquae Stewart nabs it right before the warning track.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
When one pilot nabs a speed record, almost instantly another goes up into the clouds to attempt to top them.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 13 Mar. 2026
McEntire is up to four top 10s, Wilson claims her seventh, while Cyrus nabs her milestone twentieth top 10 bestseller.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Quavo, likewise, nabs his third champ among his solo outings.
—Trevor Anderson, Billboard, 27 Jan. 2026
In a new 'acquihire,' Google nabs top talent from voice AI startup Hume.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 22 Jan. 2026
And Delbis, a newcomer on the autism spectrum, nabs a breakthrough performance playing Don as he’s torn between two strong-willed personas.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
Before somebody else nabs him first.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
George Yang, PC Magazine, 31 Mar. 2026
Infielder Chris Hacopian barrels a ball, but Jaquae Stewart nabs it right before the warning track.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
When one pilot nabs a speed record, almost instantly another goes up into the clouds to attempt to top them.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 13 Mar. 2026
McEntire is up to four top 10s, Wilson claims her seventh, while Cyrus nabs her milestone twentieth top 10 bestseller.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Quavo, likewise, nabs his third champ among his solo outings.
—Trevor Anderson, Billboard, 27 Jan. 2026
In a new 'acquihire,' Google nabs top talent from voice AI startup Hume.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 22 Jan. 2026
And Delbis, a newcomer on the autism spectrum, nabs a breakthrough performance playing Don as he’s torn between two strong-willed personas.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
Before somebody else nabs him first.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nabs
Verb
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Rather than intercepting income at the source, a bank levy freezes and seizes funds that are already sitting in your checking or savings account.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
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Like any well-meaning grifter, Anna (Halle Bailey) seizes the opportunity to hop a flight to picturesque Tuscany after meeting a handsome Italian stranger with an empty villa.—
Rebecca Aizin,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This hearty dish grabs extra flavor from browning the pork chops very well in the skillet in order to produce a flavorful pan sauce with mustard and cream.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2026
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Think about how many times a day everyone in your household touches a light switch or grabs the remote.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Department of Damage Control arrests Trevor.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
27 Jan. 2026
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The sheer scale of an estate for sale in San Francisco’s tony Pacific Heights neighborhood — a residence spanning 26,000 square feet, or the equivalent of 10 average homes — arrests the imagination.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Joy Randolph catches the camera with a side-eye at the Beef season 2 premiere in Los Angeles on April 8.—
Katie Hill,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
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The nurse who catches the wrong transcription.—
Maria Noel Fernandez,
Mercury News,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Though the team immediately apprehends a suspect, the Marshals end up taking criticism from both sides.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
21 Mar. 2026
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Neighbors are now living in fear, looking on as ICE apprehends people of color across Minnesota.—
Jason Rantala,
CBS News,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The moment, captured on video and shared via Storyful, shows Serezhkina beginning her report before the dog — later identified as Martin — lunges forward and snatches the microphone straight from her hands.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
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Roger snatches the boy up and runs through the chaos toward the infirmary.—
Lincee Ray,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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What are your rights if ICE detains you?—
Laura Daniella Sepulveda,
AZCentral.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Independent groups like Human Rights Watch say the Venezuelan government intimidates human rights advocates, arrests and detains protesters and harasses journalists.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Lane, though, not only captures Willy’s ordinariness and his ubiquity, which is no small achievement for so famous an actor, but also his optimism, his foundational, near-Trumpian belief in a coming Very Big Deal for either him or his sons.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
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This social video series by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution captures the realities of immigration enforcement in Georgia, a state experiencing significant ICE activity.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nabs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nabs. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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