1
2
as in sprinkling
a very small amount
she added a dab of sesame oil to the dressing before pouring it on the salad
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in slap
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
a bear can knock a man down with a simple dab of his paw
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in expert
a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field
a dab at finding unappreciated collectibles and reselling them at a considerable profit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dab
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 17 Mar. 2025
Add a dab of toothpaste to 1-2 T of water.
—Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 17 Mar. 2025
Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 18 Feb. 2025
Get this look created by Jasmine Allen at home by applying a milky white base to nails, and carefully dab on a hazy aura motif in your gradient choice of sunny yellows using a disposable sponge.
—Karina Hoshikawa, Refinery29, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dab
Noun
Copper Dull copper pieces can be shined by using a dry cloth and a dab of toothpaste.
—Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 17 Mar. 2025
Add a dab of toothpaste to 1-2 T of water.
—Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
Target your pulse points, ideally the wrists and neck, or dabbing from the wrists onto the neck.
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 18 Feb. 2025
Get this look created by Jasmine Allen at home by applying a milky white base to nails, and carefully dab on a hazy aura motif in your gradient choice of sunny yellows using a disposable sponge.
—Karina Hoshikawa, Refinery29, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dab
Verb
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Timothy Martin smeared red and black paint on a case shielding a nearly 150-year-old sculpture by Edgar Degas, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2025
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Martin and a companion on April 27, 2023, entered the Washington, DC, museum and smeared washable red and black paint on the case protecting Edgar Degas’s 1881 Little Dancer Aged Fourteen in an effort to bring attention to the climate crisis.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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After being mobbed by his team-mates, Van Dijk patted the badge on his shirt in front of the Kop and then planted a kiss on it, to rapturous acclaim.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
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Cue chill Schmidt, patting away on his handheld drum without a care in the world.—
Isabella Milano,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In one group of anoles, the researchers daubed the reptiles’ snouts and heads (avoiding the nostrils) with a thin layer of emollient to prevent air bubbles from adhering to the anoles’ heads.—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN,
17 Sep. 2024
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Their victorious players meander over, gathering in front of a chainlink fence draped with handmade banners daubed in the dark green and deep burgundy of Mohun Bagan, India’s great footballing powerhouse.—
Rory Smith,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Chuck Lorre has been tapped to give a keynote speech at the upcoming Banff World Media Festival.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
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Last February, the actress was tapped by Moroccanoil to front the brand’s first fragrance campaign.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In addition to slathering on a sweat-proof sunscreen, wear this $20 sun hoodie, which blocks at least 98 percent of UVA and UVB rays.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Apr. 2025
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Egg white face masks, made by slathering raw egg whites onto your skin, are said to help with breakouts, dry skin, and fine lines.—
Kathleen Ferraro,
Verywell Health,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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First round playoff action begins Saturday with the NBA Finals scheduled to tip off on June 5.—
Kevin Dotson,
CNN Money,
19 Apr. 2025
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But shortly before the operation began, Koresh was tipped off.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Pennoyer added gentle vaults to the sides of the entry gallery’s plastered ceiling, which Cathey then had lacquered, commissioning églomisé artist Miriam Ellner to decorate the glass panels of the central lantern.—
Andrew Sessa,
Architectural Digest,
2 Apr. 2025
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Inside a former cotton grading warehouse, where the walls are plastered with old concert posters and heavily graffitied with Sharpie signatures, the audience is buzzing with anticipation for the night’s show.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
29 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Why are the fans suddenly clapping that odd rhythm in unison?—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
15 Apr. 2025
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He was also seen as a member of the audience clapping along while Jack Black danced through the crowd during last week's monologue.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
13 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dab. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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