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
Gray is the big discovery, as the kid actor nabs the break of a lifetime to star alongside Gosling in a Star Wars feature.
—
Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
Morgan and Riley both end up locking in a score of 29, but a potential tie is a non-issue because Mickey nabs a 38.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 21 Aug. 2025
Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
Morgan and Riley both end up locking in a score of 29, but a potential tie is a non-issue because Mickey nabs a 38.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nabs
Verb
-
Suddenly, the Thursday Murder Club seizes an opportunity and leaps from the cold case realm into a very hot murder investigation.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
-
During a physical confrontation, Matheo forces Saskia to retreat, and Sylvie seizes the opportunity to grab Saskia’s gun.—
Time,
Time,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
As fans scramble to catch the ball, footage shows, the ball appears to land one row in front of a woman while a man runs over and grabs it.—
Chandelis Duster,
NPR,
7 Sep. 2025
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With City’s left-back, Matheus Nunes, moving out of position to press Mainoo, Ugarte’s involvement grabs the attention of Ilkay Gundogan and Josko Gvardiol.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But Isaac catches Thing’s dart, then reattaches Thing to his arm and buries Wednesday alive.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The inner activated carbon filter catches invisible particles and helps to neutralize odors from cooking, pets, smoke, or your teenager’s gym bag.—
Maggie Horton,
People.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Suppose the number is read in one case out of a hundred, and that the information reaches someone who apprehends the culprit in one case out of one thousand.—
Thomas Brewster,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Wednesday then rescues Pugsley as Gomez and Morticia arrive, but before the family can properly reunite, Isaac snatches Wednesday into his telekinetic grip, choking her.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
4 Sep. 2025
-
And just when the woman and the cookie are about to share a kiss, a hand reaches in from above and snatches the cookie from the scene.—
Moná Thomas,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The play is set in the real-life town of Lumpkin, whose economy has become reliant on a private prison that detains immigrants.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Bruni Tedeschi captures her in that vortex — her pulmonary illness confining her to bed one minute and her artistic drives reanimating her with defiant spirit the next.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Enzo Brumm, in his first major role, captures the awkward, floating energy of a youthful uncertainty and first love.—
Leila Latif,
IndieWire,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Because when your plans change, the company gets to keep all of your money.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
-
But there’s something about politics that gets me in a rabbit hole.—
Carl Lamarre,
Billboard,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nabs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nabs. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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