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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
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026
Smack dab in the middle might’ve been enough three years ago.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
Erica Sweeney, Time, 28 Jan. 2026
Use another clean cloth or sponge to dab the area dry and prevent further water damage.
—Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dab
Noun
Use a cotton swab or dab with a microfiber cloth to treat spots.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026
Smack dab in the middle might’ve been enough three years ago.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
Verb
For liquid solutions, dab it onto clean skin with a cotton pad.
—Erica Sweeney, Time, 28 Jan. 2026
Use another clean cloth or sponge to dab the area dry and prevent further water damage.
—Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dab
Verb
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Clearly, the presence of sugar was no deterrent, as the dog appeared to have enthusiastically investigated the fallen bag, emerging with powdered evidence smeared across his face.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said a man hurled pages of the Quran and smeared feces on the door of the mosque.—
Jesse Zanger,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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While most recipes dollop the biscuits on top, this dough is patted into a rough circle and scored into scone-like wedges.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Mar. 2026
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Jansen patted his catcher's mitt on Baumler's chest and the infielders offered their congratulations.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Place de la République in Paris was daubed in swastikas and anti-Semitic slogans last Sunday after a neo-Nazi rally, and offices of France Unbowed have been attacked.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
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Ryvchin, whose former home was daubed with antisemitic language and cars were set alight earlier this year, said both Australia’s federal government and provincial leaders in the state of New South Wales had failed to act on proposals to curb antisemitic violence.—
Katie Silver,
NBC news,
25 Dec. 2025
Verb
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At thirty-three, Chalker was older than most of his classmates, with more experience professionally and abroad, and he was tapped to spend a day with James Pavitt, then the agency’s director of operations.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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Burger might’ve been more eager to tap his helmet if the Rangers had their full arsenal of challenges left to burn.—
Shawn McFarland,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Are people actually slathering their faces with salmon sperm in the name of glass skin?—
Reece Andavolgyi,
InStyle,
15 Mar. 2026
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My Proustian madeleine is a sandwich comprised of walnut butter, cream cheese, and Medjool date jam slathered on thick slices of black bread.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The undisputed highlight for the small folk is the epic kids pool, with its own mini waterpark, climbing frames, tipping buckets, and splash pads.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
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The second-row bench seat can hold three car seats — and tip forward for third-row access without removing them.—
Mark Phelan,
Freep.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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To celebrate, the president wants to offer free admissions that day to the country’s national parks, a self-serving gesture, no doubt, but one that is no surprise for a man who spent much of his adult life plastering his name on the sides of buildings, airplanes and casino hotels.—
Leonard Greene,
Mercury News,
27 Dec. 2025
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In one scene, Gracie Abrams texts Taylor a picture of the singer plastered on the side of a hotel in Indianapolis.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
23 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The arena clapped and cheered for their new archbishop.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
26 Mar. 2026
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A lot of the percussion in the score, in fact, is the Wells Cathedral school kids clapping and stomping.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dab. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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