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
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
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
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
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
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Dolores notices they are gone and begins to lash out, and Abby seizes an opportunity to knock Dolores out.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Oct. 2025
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Continue reading … CRYPTO CRACKDOWN – DOJ seizes record $15 billion in Bitcoin in largest US forfeiture ever.—
,
FOXNews.com,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After Grace quotes Zooey Deschanel's character, Thames grabs her face and kisses her out of the frame.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
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Another strong Lions performance could mark a turning point this season where Detroit grabs control of the division and doesn't look back.—
Nick Meyer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Alphonse Pierre’s Off the Dome column covers songs, mixtapes, albums, scenes, snippets, movies, Meek Mill tweets, fashion trends—and anything else that catches his attention.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
23 Oct. 2025
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The six catches ties for second-most in a game for Mims in his career.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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His grandfather, Leroy Hanlon, frustrated by this hesitancy, snatches the instrument out of Mike’s hand and carries out the deed himself.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Oct. 2025
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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
Verb
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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
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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
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An aerial shot of the eastern hideout captures it as a mere speck beneath an expansive tree canopy.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
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The story captures the dilemma between the ephemeral and the eternal inherent in any attempt to pin down the soul.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Father Thornton records the entire process as part of his work for the Vatican, which gets scarier by the minute; hands blaze with fire, children's voices sing in cellars, evil nuns run about, and flashlights reveal satanic images in the dark.—
Michael Lee Simpson,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
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Yeah, no, everybody who gets that chair gets cooked.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nabs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nabs. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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