as in to pierce
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object
stabbed the pesky leaf with the tines of the rake
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stab
Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Once inside, officers encountered a woman who told them Bilger stabbed her hours earlier in the shoulder and again in the abdomen shortly before the neighbor came to the door, prosecutor’s said.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 14 Feb. 2026
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2026
Dress shoe hybrids are also becoming more common in the wider world of sneakers, with Nike, Saucony and more taking their stabs at the trend.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stab
Verb
San Diego police have arrested a suspect in connection with a fatal stabbing downtown on Saturday night, authorities said.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Once inside, officers encountered a woman who told them Bilger stabbed her hours earlier in the shoulder and again in the abdomen shortly before the neighbor came to the door, prosecutor’s said.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 14 Feb. 2026
Noun
Other versions, like Andrea Arnold’s brilliant 2011 stab at adapting Brontë’s parable, push the book’s racial aspects and class divide to the forefront.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2026
Dress shoe hybrids are also becoming more common in the wider world of sneakers, with Nike, Saucony and more taking their stabs at the trend.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stab
Verb
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From another ward not too far away, the piercing screams of a patient are audible.—
Sophia Saifi,
CNN Money,
3 Feb. 2026
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The dress was a reference to Thierry Mugler’s bold and iconic spring couture 1998 runway show, in which Erica Vanbriel modeled the original nipple piercing dress.—
Alexandra Hildreth,
Vogue,
2 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The fungus enters the body through small cuts or puncture wounds, often from rose thorns or splinters.—
Leslie Baumann,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
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That crisp pastry shell can really hold in the heat, and an abrupt puncture will send a geyser of steaming juice and melted cheese directly onto your tender tongue.—
Robert F. Moss,
Southern Living,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Continue reading … LOGGED OFF – Harris mocked for 'cringe' social media rebrand attempt after failed White House bid.—
,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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Cruelest of all was his final attempt of regulation, a catch-and-shoot prayer from way downtown after Denver advanced the ball with less than a second left.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Where Volkanovski is clearly better is at distance, using his technique to kick at Lopes and jab him.—
Brett Appley,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
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Donalds also used the opportunity to jab at Democratic gubernatorial rivals David Jolly and, particularly, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings.—
Ryan Gillespie,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Like wrestling, jiujitsu emphasizes takedowns, control and submission holds instead of punches or kicks.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
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Levito, the 2024 world silver medalist, is the classic balletic skater who packs a humorous punch behind her teenage smile.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In the opening round all four players attempted two dunks, receiving a score between 40 and 50 per try.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
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Dale Earnhardt won on his 20th try, in 1998 — the drought has been one of many things connecting Busch to Earnhardt, but that’s a whole other story that’s been told before.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Former Mayor Eric Garcetti picked Wasserman, a close friend, more than a decade ago to run the Olympics.—
Dakota Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
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These unheralded accomplishments reflect why Robert Isom was picked as the successor to his legendary predecessor, Doug Parker, in the first place.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The crucial employment snapshot is slightly delayed because of the brief government shutdown and will show whether the trajectory improved for the US labor market, which has been stuck in a low-hire and low-fire lull.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
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The littlest boy pulled out a strikingly large gun and stuck it in my face.—
Michael Powell,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stab. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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