1
as in to arrest
to take or keep under one's control by authority of law
the officer nabbed the purse snatcher before he could escape
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to grab
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly
a pickpocket nabbed my wallet
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nab
New York overcame a pair of 20-point Boston leads to steal road wins in Games 1 and 2, and nabbed a 3-1 series edge while watching the Celtics' best player, six-time All-Star Jayson Tatum, tear his Achilles tendon late into Game 4.
—
Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025
After the Cougars’ Taylor Waters won the pole vault with a Colorado 2025 top mark of 16 feet, 9 inches, and his fellow senior teammate Sawyer Carr tied for sixth to nab 3.5 more points, Cherokee Trail needed to finish no worse than sixth in the 1,600-meter relay to capture the title.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 17 May 2025
Now, a new study published Monday in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals how the birds use the power of physics to nab their elusive prey.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 2025
More sports are crashing into the streaming arena: YouTube nabbed exclusive rights to an NFL game for the 2025 season, marking the first time the video platform will livestream an NFL game for free in its entirety.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for nab
Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025
After the Cougars’ Taylor Waters won the pole vault with a Colorado 2025 top mark of 16 feet, 9 inches, and his fellow senior teammate Sawyer Carr tied for sixth to nab 3.5 more points, Cherokee Trail needed to finish no worse than sixth in the 1,600-meter relay to capture the title.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 17 May 2025
Now, a new study published Monday in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals how the birds use the power of physics to nab their elusive prey.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 2025
More sports are crashing into the streaming arena: YouTube nabbed exclusive rights to an NFL game for the 2025 season, marking the first time the video platform will livestream an NFL game for free in its entirety.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for nab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nab
Verb
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Officers went to the townhouse and arrested Woeltz, who is charged with assault, kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment and criminal possession of a gun.—
John Bacon,
USA Today,
26 May 2025
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Officers are seen getting out, moving Taylor to the ground and arresting him.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
25 May 2025
Verb
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In the morning, the restaurant doubles as a coffee shop where guests can grab drip coffee, fresh juices, and a small selection of hot and cold breakfast options, including the beloved Hawaiian classic, Loco Moco.—
Jalyn Robinson,
Travel + Leisure,
25 May 2025
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The colorful bar framed in bright neon lights is on the main concourse, so people walking by can grab a drink and head to the casino or other favorite activity, Allen said.—
Pamela McLoughlin,
Hartford Courant,
24 May 2025
Verb
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Israel imposed a blockade on all supplies entering Gaza in March, saying Hamas was seizing supplies meant for civilians - a charge the group denies.—
Nidal al-Mughrabi,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
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Officials with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms conducted a search at Ross’ home in Oklahoma and seized materials that were used to build the explosive devices, police said.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 May 2025
Verb
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Throughout the show, Elliot is often caught telling his kids wildly inappropriate stories in an effort to get closer to them and inspire them to open up.—
Yasmeen Hamadeh,
People.com,
23 May 2025
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Financial services leaders are thus caught in a paradox.—
Kathleen Walch,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Verb
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Nine migrants detained in attempt to enter La Jolla by boat Nine people were apprehended over the weekend after making landfall in La Jolla during an attempt to enter the United States by boat, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 May 2025
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Footage of the low-stakes battle was captured by the resident's doorbell camera, which shows the gator moving door-to-door in Tortuga, a residential neighborhood in Fort Myers, before it was apprehended by a state alligator trapper.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
12 May 2025
Verb
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Read Next National Bear learns ‘bad behaviors’ from Colorado resident’s trash habits, officials say May 22, 2025 3:23 PM Read Next National Bear snatches trail cam in its mouth — and is caught on video.—
Helena Wegner,
Sacbee.com,
23 May 2025
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Sizes are limited, so don’t wait too long to snatch up a pair of these gorgeous leather wedges.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
23 May 2025
Verb
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Over the past few months, university students and activists on valid visas have been pursued by ICE and subsequently detained or even deported for being outspoken on political issues.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
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Footage of the incident appeared to show agents pushing residents who were protesting as federal immigration agents attempted to detain a woman.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nab. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
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