as in stabs
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object
jabbed a pickle and tossed it on the plate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of jabs
Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2026
In the latter half of the 20th century, Mexico provided universal free jabs and had highly visible mass campaigns.
—Katie Silver, NPR, 28 Mar. 2026
Just look at the jabs Amanda makes.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2026
The lineup of comedians who will take jabs at Hart has yet to be announced.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026
The director also gave a passionate defense of the moviegoing experience and original filmmaking — while taking a playful shot at Timothée Chalamet, whose jabs about opera and ballet have taken over the internet in recent days.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 13 Mar. 2026
While their insulting jabs at each other make for good laughs, their arc as teammates learning to work together is what gives the film its heart.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2026
For most of the evening, the mood is darkly funny and a little ominous, as the siblings take undermining jabs and the in-laws roll their eyes.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2026
Jason Esteves and Geoff Duncan trade jabs.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2026
In another moment, long-time rivals Jett and Mane exchange jabs against one another over a livestream as thousands of roarball fans tune in and cheer them on in the comments.
—Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Srinivas, who often jabs the search engine giant, made an interesting point.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Haggard jabs Baird over mailers The race is already tense.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 13 Aug. 2025
His finger jabs on the second-to-last page, at the postscript.
—Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Feb. 2025
Noun
At any rate, add Jordan Seaton and London Merritt to the list for former CU Buffs offering subtle jabs at Deion Sanders’ old coaching staff over the last few days.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2026
In the latter half of the 20th century, Mexico provided universal free jabs and had highly visible mass campaigns.
—Katie Silver, NPR, 28 Mar. 2026
Just look at the jabs Amanda makes.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2026
The lineup of comedians who will take jabs at Hart has yet to be announced.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026
The director also gave a passionate defense of the moviegoing experience and original filmmaking — while taking a playful shot at Timothée Chalamet, whose jabs about opera and ballet have taken over the internet in recent days.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 13 Mar. 2026
While their insulting jabs at each other make for good laughs, their arc as teammates learning to work together is what gives the film its heart.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2026
For most of the evening, the mood is darkly funny and a little ominous, as the siblings take undermining jabs and the in-laws roll their eyes.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2026
Jason Esteves and Geoff Duncan trade jabs.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
Donald Trump‘s effort today to praise his new Homeland Security Secretary and defend him from Jimmy Kimmel‘s jabs kind of backfired.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2026
In another moment, long-time rivals Jett and Mane exchange jabs against one another over a livestream as thousands of roarball fans tune in and cheer them on in the comments.
—Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Srinivas, who often jabs the search engine giant, made an interesting point.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Haggard jabs Baird over mailers The race is already tense.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 13 Aug. 2025
His finger jabs on the second-to-last page, at the postscript.
—Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jabs
Noun
-
At under $550, this tablet punches way above its weight!—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
28 Mar. 2026
-
What was the precise number of punches Brown dealt her?—
Pamela Colloff,
ProPublica,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But this person who was a friend, who owes her career to me, just stabs me in the back.—
Maer Roshan,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Bautista stabs and shoots his assailants in an operatic eruption of violence that is done in a single, extended shot.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Fort Worth dining scene in March celebrated a handful of new restaurant openings, hosted multiple celebrity diners and discovered a few new digs on the docket.—
Ella Gonzales
April 1,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Kenzel Lantano notched 10 aces, 26 assists and three digs, while Riches Tep had 16 kills and four digs as Lynn Classical (1-0) swept Wakefield 3-0 in nonleague action.—
Tyler McManus,
Boston Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Joel, a 19‑year veteran, begins pursuing after another officer deploys a spike strip and punctures the Challenger's tires.—
Kelsy Mittauer,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The narrower design, combined with the several sharp teeth, effectively punctures through tough pepper skin and hard fruits to cut out the core and remove seeds in a matter of seconds.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Pepsi has for decades taken pokes at rival Coke in an endless array of commercials, but this time, the youth-skewing cola company really means business.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
29 Jan. 2026
-
A lot of times, these hot-button issues that are pressed, those little pokes, are more nuanced than they’re portrayed.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Celebrity book clubs often also try to funnel their high-profile picks into buzzy on-screen adaptations.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2026
-
However, that’s not a reasonable expectation, no matter how many draft picks the Dolphins have.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Its 1959 Googie-style sign pierces the sky, a beacon of hope for weary road-trippers cruising this achingly lonely stretch of highway.—
Zoey Goto,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Lower the heat to medium-high and cook, gently stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent and a paring knife easily pierces a potato, about 15 minutes.—
C.W. Cameron,
AJC.com,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Once the media sticks its oar in, the real reason for the robbery emerges by degrees.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Fuji sticks close to its playbook and delivers a camera that's simple to use, captures instant photos with the same analog aesthetic that has made Instax the instant film of choice for going on twenty years.—
Jim Fisher,
PC Magazine,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Jabs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jabs. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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