stab 1 of 2

verb

Definition of stabnext
as in to pierce
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object stabbed the pesky leaf with the tines of the rake

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stab

2 of 2

noun

ˈstab How to pronounce stab (audio)
1
as in puncture
a mark or small hole made by a pointed instrument the injection left a small stab on her upper arm

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2
as in attempt
an effort to do or accomplish something everybody will get a stab at solving the problem

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stab
Verb
Todd Stewart, 68, was fatally stabbed outside his home, police said. — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026 McLaughlin confirmed that police believe the male stabbed the woman and then stabbed himself multiple times. — Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 13 Aug. 2026
Noun
Zimmerley allegedly told deputies that the horse’s stab wounds were cat scratches, Ivey said. — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 11 Aug. 2026 Rebecca Marodi’s mother, Lorena Marodi, found her daughter with multiple stab wounds and called for help, according to the sheriff’s office. — Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stab
  1. pierce
  2. puncture
  3. attempt
  4. jab
  5. punch
  6. try
  7. pick
  8. stick
Verb
  • Poy was wounded in a second land mine explosion that pierced his face and body with shrapnel and killed three of his colleagues.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Multiple bullets pierced Bridegan’s body and vehicle – one just inches from his toddler, Bexley, who was uninjured and crying, still strapped into her car seat, according to CNN affiliate WJXT, which cited prosecutors.
    — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of pierce
Noun
  • Clenney claimed to have thrown the knife at Obumseli from a distance of over 10 feet, but prosecutors say an autopsy revealed a puncture wound so deep it could only have been caused by an up-close and personal stabbing.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The dog bit the 2-year-old in the leg, leaving a deep puncture wound, according to the affidavit.
    — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of puncture
Noun
  • The family was in the middle of a cookout when Silvia arrived, and after an unsuccessful attempt to reconcile, authorities said Silvia retrieved the shotgun from his truck and shot the two women.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • First, Murdock recognized the Falcons setting up a screen and then shook off a block attempt by the pulling center and dropped running back Tyler Goodson for no gain.
    — Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of attempt
Verb
  • That’s partly the result of actions by Curtis, like taking customer’s phone calls and jabbing at a competitor on social media.
    — Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Cannon said before pretending to jab his arm with a dosage while squealing from the pain and showing his vaccination card.
    — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
Definition of jab
Noun
  • Carter, for the Giants, earlier threw a punch at Paul in 1-on-1 drills.
    — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026
  • One of the suspects used a window punch tool to crack the booth window before kicking it in, police say.
    — Frederick Sutton Sinclair, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of punch
Noun
  • Three late tries helped the Wallabies turn a 21-17 halftime lead into a 39-point victory, giving the Australians a three-match winning streak for the first time since 2024.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Gore suggests treating the first few tries like a mini experiment.
    — Peter Su, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of try
Verb
  • Backstage, Kenny Omega calls the Don Callis Family bullies and tells them to pick any three members to face him and The Young Bucks, who are standing beside Omega, next week.
    — Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Antioch Full Gospel Baptist Church members who are facing off in court over control of the College Station congregation will meet Monday to determine the process for picking who gets to preach.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of pick
Verb
  • At the time, Valli’s rep told Variety in a statement that the musician decided to cancel the shows instead of rescheduling them so that his fans with tickets would not be stuck in limbo.
    — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Stickers are stuck in the wrong spot, Trevor Etienne gets put on the board when it was meant to be his brother Travis, and owners look frantically for a Stefon Diggs or Keenan Allen sticker that doesn’t exist in the pack.
    — Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of stick

Phrases Containing stab

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stab
stabbed
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Cite this Entry

“Stab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stab. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of stab for Spanish Speakers

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