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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
In July, two men — an Asian man and Jewish man wearing a kippah — were stabbed in separate incidents on the Upper West Side after leaving a synagogue, officials said. — Mark Morales, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026 Farrah’s mother found her, stabbed several times, inside her bedroom in their home on the 6500 block of Southwest 27th Street in Miramar, according to court records. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026
Noun
Avers was found lying in her bed with stab wounds and surrounded by kitchen knives. — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2026 But Carrie is Flanagan’s first stab at turning a King work into a TV series (as well as his first TV work under a new deal with Prime Video), and the result is cause for concern. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 6 Oct. 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
  • The bullet pierced the rear passenger window of Irvine’s car, striking him in the right shoulder and causing his death.
    — Kelsie Cairns , Maria Paronich, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • No wonder some of the film’s most piercing moments are on the periphery.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of pierce
Noun
  • The Cupertino writers are really cooking with this case, which once again sees multiple reversals of fortune, with Chatlike presenting airtight arguments that PSA punctures and vice versa.
    — Noel Murray, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The seven-step facial includes a cleanse; a professional biostimulating step applied to the skin with no needles; lifting; nano-infusion with a no-puncture tip; a cold biocellulose mask; LED, and finishing serums and SPF.
    — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of puncture
Noun
  • Well, on Monday, Overshown put those doubts to rest by tying for the team lead with six tackles and recording a game-sealing interception in the fourth quarter to thwart a Philadelphia comeback attempt.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Butker made his next attempt — a 50-yard field goal to cut the Seahawks’ lead to 13-3 late in the third quarter — before missing from 45 yards midway through the fourth.
    — Pete Sweeney October 26, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of attempt
Verb
  • The film’s pick-me jabs at humor are frankly, flatly unfunny and grating, twisting the film at times into a perverse, almost self-aware treatise on tweeness.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Rainbow continued to jab the secretary of health as his primary opposition throughout the parody of the Frank Loesser song.
    — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of jab
Noun
  • Fayette County District Attorney Michael Aubele says that Stimmel was allegedly combative with arresting officers that day and allegedly tried to throw a punch during intake.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Harbach’s grand set piece on Block Island packs a punch but only after a considerable buildup.
    — Malcolm Forbes, Christian Science Monitor, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of punch
Noun
  • The Sixers’ only loss (in four tries) is to Detroit, with wins over New York, Cleveland and Milwaukee.
    — Dan Woike, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Flagg had 12 of his points in the fourth, and his block of a 3-point try by Andrew Wiggins with 31 seconds left preserved a two-point Mavs lead.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of try
Verb
  • The proof of concept combines robotic manipulation, AI and virtual simulation to explore how robots can pick components from containers and arrange them in the correct order for vehicle assembly.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The country estate sits on a 40-acre lot in the alpine village of Tolochenaz, near Lausanne, guaranteeing privacy—and plenty of space to host garden parties or pick cherries from the orchard, as Audrey did decades ago.
    — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of pick
Verb
  • Raichlen’s career, in a way, is similar in that he’s never been stuck in the lane of writing about barbecuing only brisket and pork.
    — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Hopefully, Goover will stick the landing with its product, and stick around for a while to come.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of stick

Phrases Containing stab

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squooshy
stab
stabbed
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Cite this Entry

“Stab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stab. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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