nab

verb

ˈnab 

nabbed; nabbing

transitive verb

1

: to catch or seize in arrest : apprehend

2

: to seize suddenly

Synonyms

• apprehend
• arrest
• bust [slang]
• collar
• nail
• nick [British slang]
• pick up
• pinch
• pull in
• restrain
• run in
• seize

Examples of nab in a Sentence

We nabbed seats in the front row of the theater.

the officer nabbed the purse snatcher before he could escape

Recent Examples on the Web

By Will Knight Gear What Apple and Samsung should nab from Huawei’s folding phone By Basil Kronfli Business Huawei, 5G, and the Man Who Conquered Noise By Steven Levy Gear Don’t buy a Huawei or Honor phone. —Simon Lucas, WIRED, 1 Nov. 2024

The group forced three fumbles and nabbed one interception against the Bengals, as well as forcing a key turnover on downs late in the third quarter thanks to a tackle by rookie Cooper DeJean on WR Ja’Marr Chase. —Ben Morse, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024

Then, the only thing that mouse would need to do is to nab the theater kids to be the official home of awards season. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2024

Surtain is the 27th player to nab at-least 10 interceptions in a Broncos uniform. —Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 27 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

perhaps alteration of English dialect nap

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

nab

verb

ˈnab 

nabbed; nabbing

1

: to seize and take into custody : arrest

2

: to seize suddenly

especially : steal entry 1 sense 2a