1
as in to arrest
to take or keep under one's control by authority of law
the officer nabbed the purse snatcher before he could escape
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to grab
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly
a pickpocket nabbed my wallet
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nab
His other notable roles include appearances on Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022) and Only Murders in the Building (2024), as well as a leading role on Hulu's Welcome to Chippendales (2022–2023), which nabbed him an Emmy nomination.
—
Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
Italy’s Benedetta Porcaroli took Horizons’ best actress prize for the drama The Kidnapping of Arabella and Giacomo Covi nabbed best actor for his turn in the Italian-French coming-of-age film A Year of School.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
Photos show hunters nabbing a 14-foot alligator This story has been updated to add photos.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
But after nabbing the part of the stern hotel manager Valentina in the second season of The White Lotus (2022), Impacciatore was launched into Hollywood fame.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nab
Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
Italy’s Benedetta Porcaroli took Horizons’ best actress prize for the drama The Kidnapping of Arabella and Giacomo Covi nabbed best actor for his turn in the Italian-French coming-of-age film A Year of School.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
Photos show hunters nabbing a 14-foot alligator This story has been updated to add photos.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
But after nabbing the part of the stern hotel manager Valentina in the second season of The White Lotus (2022), Impacciatore was launched into Hollywood fame.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nab
Verb
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Every Democratic politician must be arrested and the party banned under RICO [Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act].—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
11 Sep. 2025
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Authorities arrested a man shortly after a bullet hit Kirk, Mason said during the news conference.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Plus, grab knife sets and a nifty electric can opener to streamline your cooking.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
16 Sep. 2025
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As Jey checked on Jimmy, LA Knight grabbed the steel chair and teased hitting Jey Uso.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Leaders must continuously renew and reinvent their strategies to seize opportunities and stay ahead of the curve.—
Glenn Llopis,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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With each load seized, the cartel would take another bite off its own tail.—
Martin Suarez,
Rolling Stone,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Kirk was killed in Utah on Wednesday and the suspect, Tyler Robinson, was caught after his father turned him in to authorities on Friday.—
Luke Barr,
ABC News,
16 Sep. 2025
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Use any type of soft plastic lures to catch black bass.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Local sheriff's deputies later apprehended Routh on Interstate 95 at about Mile Marker 112 in Martin County, Treasure Coast Newspapers, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
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The trailer for the film teases that Perfidia was apprehended by law enforcement prior to the start of the movie's events, leaving Bob and Willa to go on the run and seek refuge with an ally, portrayed by Benicio del Toro.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After some initial snags—customers receiving duplicate cards, criminals snatching unclaimed ones out of mailboxes—the cards began to turn a profit.—
Michael Waters,
The Atlantic,
9 Sep. 2025
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Local leaders claim immigrants are wrongfully being snatched off the street by federal agents looking to root out violent criminals.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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According to the New York Times, this individual was the second person detained and later released by law enforcement authorities after questioning.—
Zachary Folk,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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Seoul, South Korea — More than 300 South Korean workers detained by immigration authorities in Georgia last week arrived home on Friday, marking the end of a saga that has stunned their nation and threatened to upend a close bilateral friendship between the US and South Korea.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nab. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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