Synonyms of grab

grab 1 of 4

verb (1)

ˈgrab 

as in to snatch

to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly

don't grab my arm like that

Synonyms & Similar Words

• snatch
• seize
• catch
• get
• capture
• land
• snag
• nab
• trap
• hook
• take hold (of)
• snare
• hold
• corral
• grapple
• snap (up)
• grasp
• bag
• net
• cop
• nail
• rap
• clutch
• glom
• arrest
• grip
• collar
• kidnap
• rope
• nobble
• secure
• detain
• apprehend
• glove
• fist
• clasp
• corner
• abduct
• bay
• rend
• wrest
• lasso
• ensnare
• fasten (on)
• entrap
• latch (on or onto)
• halter
• mesh
• entangle
• spirit (away or off)
• enmesh

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• miss
• release
• free
• drop
• discharge
• liberate
• loosen
• unhand

grab

2 of 4

noun (1)

as in theft

an instance of theft

a political activist who thinks the government's lease of public lands to logging companies amounts to an illegal land grab

Synonyms & Similar Words

• theft
• snatching
• pinch
• heist
• swiping
• rip-off
• burglary
• mugging
• holdup
• break-in
• stickup

grabs

3 of 4

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of grab

as in seizes

to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly

don't grab my arm like that

Synonyms & Similar Words

• seizes
• snatches
• catches
• captures
• gets
• lands
• nabs
• snags
• traps
• hooks
• grasps
• holds
• grapples
• bags
• snaps (up)
• takes hold (of)
• snares
• nets
• nails
• raps
• corrals
• clutches
• gloms
• collars
• cops
• kidnaps
• secures
• arrests
• grips
• detains
• nobbles
• apprehends
• gloves
• abducts
• clasps
• corners
• ropes
• fists
• rends
• wrests
• ensnares
• lassos
• entraps
• fastens (on)
• entangles
• enmeshes
• latches (on or onto)
• bays
• meshes
• halters
• spirits (away or off)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• misses
• releases
• frees
• drops
• liberates
• discharges
• loosens
• unhands

grabs

4 of 4

noun (2)

plural of grab

as in thefts

an instance of theft

a political activist who thinks the government's lease of public lands to logging companies amounts to an illegal land grab

Synonyms & Similar Words

• thefts
• pinches
• heists
• burglaries
• rip-offs
• holdups
• stickups
• muggings
• break-ins

Synonym Chooser

How is the word grab different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of grab are clutch, grasp, seize, snatch, and take. While all these words mean "to get hold of by or as if by catching up with the hand," grab implies more roughness or rudeness than snatch.

grabbed roughly by the arm

When can clutch be used instead of grab?

Although the words clutch and grab have much in common, clutch suggests avidity or anxiety in seizing or grasping and may imply less success in holding.

clutching her purse

In what contexts can grasp take the place of grab?

In some situations, the words grasp and grab are roughly equivalent. However, grasp stresses a laying hold so as to have firmly in possession.

grasp the handle and pull

Where would seize be a reasonable alternative to grab?

The words seize and grab can be used in similar contexts, but seize implies a sudden and forcible movement in getting hold of something tangible or an apprehending of something fleeting or elusive when intangible.

seized the suspect

How do snatch and seize relate to one another, in the sense of grab?

Snatch suggests more suddenness or quickness but less force than seize.

snatched a doughnut and ran

When could take be used to replace grab?

The words take and grab are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, take is a general term applicable to any manner of getting something into one's possession or control.

take some salad from the bowl

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of grab

Verb

An amine will grab CO2 molecules when exposed to them, but let go of the CO2 when heated or depressurized, leaving it ready to go again. —ArsTechnica, 8 June 2026

More recently, Obama grabbed this mantle. —Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 8 June 2026

Noun

Some offices, such as lieutenant governor, treasurer and insurance commissioner, are up for grabs and will see a fresh face take office after the November runoff elections. —James Ward, USA Today, 4 June 2026

For the first time in history, every seat is up for grabs. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026

Verb

Kennedy then pins the snake’s head and grabs it by the mouth, avoiding any potential venomous bites. —Drew Pittock, USA Today, 28 May 2026

Davis grabs two suitcases off the belt, pulls out a handheld computer that looks like an extra-rugged iPad, and scans the bar codes on the luggage tags. —Joel Rose, NPR, 26 May 2026

Noun

That means the two most iconic British roles of all time, James Bond and the Doctor, are currently up for grabs. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 10 June 2026

They are also set to be the rare one-offs that will actually go up for grabs. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 9 June 2026

Phrases Containing grab

• grab bag