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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dab
Loren Savini, Allure, 22 Jan. 2025
Sides for the faux festive meal included baked potatoes, green beans, and a dab of margarine.
—Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 6 Jan. 2025
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 16 Feb. 2025
Researchers studying animal expressions can also induce mild discomfort—tightening a blood pressure cuff around a leg, for instance, or dabbing a bit of hot chili extract onto the skin.
—science.org, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dab
Noun
The final touch is a dab of gloss at the center of your lips for a little extra dimension, says Carrillo, who recommends the Huda Beauty Faux Filler Extra Shine Lip Gloss for creating a juicy luster.
—Loren Savini, Allure, 22 Jan. 2025
Sides for the faux festive meal included baked potatoes, green beans, and a dab of margarine.
—Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
Garrett, who just turned 29 and recently announced a trade request, would represent a franchise-changing haul, as a future Hall of Famer smack dab in the middle of his prime.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 16 Feb. 2025
Researchers studying animal expressions can also induce mild discomfort—tightening a blood pressure cuff around a leg, for instance, or dabbing a bit of hot chili extract onto the skin.
—science.org, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dab
Verb
-
Soap removes sticky spills, smeared food or mud; bleach might take out the stains left once the crud is gone.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Feb. 2025
-
Their guests could smear the caviar on tater tots and chicken tenders.—
Valeriya Safronova,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Both before and after each use, use warm water and soap to wash it, then pat it dry.—
Amanda Chatel,
Glamour,
19 Feb. 2025
-
Type: Liquid Finish: Matte/Radiant Finish How to apply: Apply 1-2 dots on each cheek, then use your fingertips to gently pat the blush into the skin.—
Iman Balagam,
Vogue,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Also on the red carpet tonight before Tom Tykwer’s opening film Das Licht (The Light), multiple protestors formed another protest, wearing masks and raising hands daubed in what seemed to be red paint.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
13 Feb. 2025
-
The burial ground and temple were unearthed when someone tried to build a drainage channel for a modern house; to prevent the dampness of visitors’ breath from damaging the extraordinary artworks daubed on the walls, entry is limited to 80 people per day.—
Tanvi Chheda,
AFAR Media,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Chelsea looked on course to do just that but Marco Asensio’s equaliser — initially ruled out for offside — was awarded after a VAR review, the Spaniard tapping in from Marcus Rashford’s cutback.—
Simon Johnson,
The Athletic,
22 Feb. 2025
-
Vitello most recently was the assistant director for firearms and tactical programs before being tapped as the acting director.—
DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS,
arkansasonline.com,
22 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The chicken slathered in the salsa verde it's served with will do the trick.—
Alex Golden,
Axios,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Filled and slathered in butter and cheese, these toasty squares will make your guests go wild.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
23 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
In that case, an unknown person contacted the Sandy Hook tip line to say a friend had access to an AR-15 rifle, had just ordered a bulletproof vest and admired Nikolas Cruz – the gunman who murdered 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, officials said.—
Taylor Romine,
CNN,
20 Feb. 2025
-
The game against the Suns tips off at 8:30pm, and the game against the Pistons at 7:30pm.—
Asher Price,
Axios,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Photos of the boys were plastered on the sides of buildings around the world.—
Chris Kenning,
USA TODAY,
20 Feb. 2025
-
By Tuesday afternoon, the plane wreckage was barely recognizable, camouflaged against the ground by snow plastered across the frozen fuselage, its left wing crumpled and right wing missing.—
Andy Rose,
CNN,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
In one video, another husband, who happens to be a drummer according to the video’s text, finds the beat quickly and even has help from his son, who claps along in rhythm.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Why isn’t this movie about her and her hot girlfriend? Love the shot of Gracie clapping approvingly.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
21 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to dab
Cite this Entry
“Dab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dab. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share