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

Earlier this week, Emilia Pérez nabbed ten nominations at the Golden Globes, including a nomination for Selena Gomez, who didn’t repeat at the Critics Choice Awards. —Mathew Rodriguez, Them, 12 Dec. 2024

This year’s edition is lighter on A-list names than years past, leaving more opportunities for rising talent to nab prime Q&A and studio interview spots. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 11 Dec. 2024

Mangione, 26, was nabbed after a five-day manhunt Monday at at McDonald’s in Altoona, Penn., for possession of a ghost gun. —Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 10 Dec. 2024

Also getting a big boost from the Globes is the body-horror shocker The Substance, which is not currently predicted to scoop up a ton of Oscar nominations, but which nabbed a shocking five nominations, including nods for its stars, Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 9 Dec. 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