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
The Best Apple AirTag Deal The Apple AirTag nabs our Editors' Choice award for the best Bluetooth tracker.
—
PC Magazine, 1 Dec. 2025
Meanwhile, veteran Australian country artist James Blundell nabs a top 40 entry with Patience Wins (AMB/MGM), his 12th studio album.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 14 Nov. 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
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
PC Magazine, 1 Dec. 2025
Meanwhile, veteran Australian country artist James Blundell nabs a top 40 entry with Patience Wins (AMB/MGM), his 12th studio album.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 14 Nov. 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
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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The Department of Education first resumed the Treasury Offset program, which seizes defaulted borrowers’ federal payments, on May 5, 2025.—
Kamaron McNair,
CNBC,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The slender but powerful book takes place over the course of a week, when Ma’s plans are suddenly imperiled while Boomba seizes the chance to make up for his past mistakes and help his family.—
Stuart Miller,
Oc Register,
22 Dec. 2025
Verb
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But as the ball arrives the defender grabs the jersey with the right hand and pulls the defender down.—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Jan. 2026
-
As one officer grabs at her door handle, a third officer who had circled to the front of the SUV from the opposite side draws his gun.—
Bill Chappell,
NPR,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Bascombe is the one who arrests Jamie Miller (Cooper) under suspicion of murder.—
Yamillah Hurtado,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Police officer Hugo Crussi (Vogrincic) traces the voice to a young preacher, Jonas Flores (Zurita), and arrests him.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Australian Geographic reports that the bird catches prey midair during hunting.—
Marina Watts,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Despite these close ties, the identity of the murderer catches her completely by surprise.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Coast Guard stops the ships, apprehends those aboard and seizes the illicit drugs.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
10 Dec. 2025
-
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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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
-
Annahstasia, Tether Annahstasia Enuke’s voice — by turns a breathily bassy and sweetly soaring instrument — snatches you sideways across time.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
2 Dec. 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
-
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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Speedskating is among those niche Olympic sports that captures the country’s attention for a week or two every four years.—
Andrew Carter,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Ross’ phone then captures the SUV accelerating down the street.—
Corky Siemaszko,
NBC news,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nabs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nabs. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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