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

On Friday, Victor Wembanyama led San Antonio to victory with a thrilling performance, scoring 39 points on 72% shooting while grabbing 15 rebounds and blocking five shots. —Andrew Greif, NBC news, 11 May 2026

For a mid-size option that can tote all the essentials, grab this find in three colors. —Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 11 May 2026

Noun

Also up for grabs are nine $200,000 prizes, 10 $50,000 prizes and hundreds of thousands of other prizes ranging from $50 to $10,000. —Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 15 May 2026

Inside, the roomy main compartment features a zippered pocket for valuables alongside an additional flat pocket for quick-grab items like keys, chapstick, or a boarding pass, keeping your belongings organized, safe, and within reach at all times. —Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 15 May 2026

Verb

San Juan del Sur is a little beach town that grabs your heart in a big way. —Essence, 13 May 2026

Martha frequently grabs a bowl for serving dinner or peruses a favorite cookbook. —Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 11 May 2026

Noun

The show will feature five matches with two titles up for grabs – the World Heavyweight Championship and the United States Championship. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026

There's more than one big lottery prize up for grabs this weekend. —Neal Riley, CBS News, 8 May 2026

Phrases Containing grab

• grab bag