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
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
The Best Apple AirTag Deal The Apple AirTag nabs our Editors' Choice award for the best Bluetooth tracker.
—PC Magazine, 1 Dec. 2025
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
India nabs a noteworthy launch contract.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
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
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
The Best Apple AirTag Deal The Apple AirTag nabs our Editors' Choice award for the best Bluetooth tracker.
—PC Magazine, 1 Dec. 2025
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
India nabs a noteworthy launch contract.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nabs
Verb
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Season 2 also seizes on an obvious opportunity.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
21 Jan. 2026
-
The team successfully seizes two tons of gold and apprehends the leader of the criminal network.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Video shows that in the seconds before Pretti is shot, the 37-year-old ICU nurse grabs the observer’s backpack when he is pulled to the ground by a group of agents.—
Yahya Abou-Ghazala,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
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The officer grabs Pretti’s shirt at his chest, pulling him back toward the vehicle as Pretti’s arms flail.—
Michael Biesecker,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
The backstory Faena New York occupies the East Tower of One High Line—a sculptural work by Bjarke Ingels Group whose twisting geometric design catches sunlight like a prism.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Sophie’s wonderment at the ornate environment catches Benedict’s attention.—
Olivia Singh,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
-
The team successfully seizes two tons of gold and apprehends the leader of the criminal network.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Maisie is a throw-away child in 1910, captivated by a poster of a magical French carousel, when an aunt snatches her out of poverty and takes her into the home of her wealthy employer, a British lord.—
Sandra Dallas,
Denver Post,
24 Jan. 2026
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The ribbed-trim detailing already sets it apart, while the subtle shaping at the waist snatches every figure.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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The Pinault family owns 42 percent of shares in Kering and detains 59 percent of voting rights.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The exorbitant film captures the rotten state of our entertainment industry.—
Will Gottsegen,
The Atlantic,
31 Jan. 2026
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Body camera footage captures the responding officers trying to make sense of the situation, going back and forth between Held and Saracco asking if anyone involved is a federal agent.—
Madeline Buckley,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nabs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nabs. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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