GRAB Synonyms: 71 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'grab' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of grab are clutch , grasp , seize , snatch , and take . While all these words mean "to get hold of by or as if by catching up with the hand," grab implies more roughness or rudeness than snatch . // grabbed roughly by the arm

Q: When can 'clutch' be used instead of 'grab'?

Although the words clutch and grab have much in common, clutch suggests avidity or anxiety in seizing or grasping and may imply less success in holding. // clutching her purse

Q: In what contexts can 'grasp' take the place of 'grab'?

In some situations, the words grasp and grab are roughly equivalent. However, grasp stresses a laying hold so as to have firmly in possession. // grasp the handle and pull

Q: Where would 'seize' be a reasonable alternative to 'grab'?

The words seize and grab can be used in similar contexts, but seize implies a sudden and forcible movement in getting hold of something tangible or an apprehending of something fleeting or elusive when intangible. // seized the suspect

Q: How do 'snatch' and 'seize' relate to one another, in the sense of 'grab'?

Snatch suggests more suddenness or quickness but less force than seize . // snatched a doughnut and ran

Q: When could 'take' be used to replace 'grab'?

The words take and grab are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, take is a general term applicable to any manner of getting something into one's possession or control. // take some salad from the bowl

grab 1 of 2

verb

ˈgrab

Definition of grab next

as in to snatch

to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly don't grab my arm like that

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

grab

2 of 2

noun

as in theft

an instance of theft a political activist who thinks the government's lease of public lands to logging companies amounts to an illegal land grab

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word grab different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of grab are clutch, grasp, seize, snatch, and take. While all these words mean "to get hold of by or as if by catching up with the hand," grab implies more roughness or rudeness than snatch.

grabbed roughly by the arm

When can clutch be used instead of grab?

Although the words clutch and grab have much in common, clutch suggests avidity or anxiety in seizing or grasping and may imply less success in holding.

clutching her purse

In what contexts can grasp take the place of grab?

In some situations, the words grasp and grab are roughly equivalent. However, grasp stresses a laying hold so as to have firmly in possession.

grasp the handle and pull

Where would seize be a reasonable alternative to grab?

The words seize and grab can be used in similar contexts, but seize implies a sudden and forcible movement in getting hold of something tangible or an apprehending of something fleeting or elusive when intangible.

seized the suspect

How do snatch and seize relate to one another, in the sense of grab?

Snatch suggests more suddenness or quickness but less force than seize.

snatched a doughnut and ran

When could take be used to replace grab?

The words take and grab are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, take is a general term applicable to any manner of getting something into one's possession or control.

take some salad from the bowl

Examples 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 grab

Verb

In footage that has since gone viral, Jason approached the bystander, grabbed his phone, threw it on the ground and repeated the slur back to them. —

Stephen Daw, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2024 Families milled around, grabbing coffee at an in-house café before joining a worship service that could rival many small rock concerts. —

David Gilbert, WIRED, 4 Nov. 2024

Noun

All 100 state House seats are also up for grabs, along with several state Senate seats and a number of local races. —

Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, 6 Nov. 2024 According to 538’s forecasts for the White House, U.S. Senate and U.S. House, control of the federal government is firmly up for grabs. —

G. Elliott Morris, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for grab

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grab

Verb

Though his men currently six points clear at the La Liga summit over Madrid, Flick refuses to accept that Barca is the favourite to snatch the top domestic prize back from Los Blancos.

Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
While Harris in her speech promised to take the United States in a new direction if elected, remarks from Biden from earlier Tuesday snatched the spotlight away from his vice president.

Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024