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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of nab
Die-hard Eagles fans, this is your chance to nab some epic memorabilia!
—
Danielle Jennings, People.com, 23 Jan. 2025
Previous Slide Next Slide #3: Connecticut Connecticut nabbed the third place spot thanks to strong academic success and high-quality education.
—Ben Kesslen, Quartz, 22 Jan. 2025
Phillip, who actually cursed us with Dr. Will’s presence by nabbing the Banker’s Bonus last week along with Parvati, goes straight for the bonus again — which becomes important when everyone reconvenes to open their briefcases.
—Laura Bradley, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2025
Jeffrey Vargas, 45, was nabbed by police Thursday afternoon and charged with second-degree robbery and assault for the vicious Tuesday night attack at W. 49th St. and Eighth Ave.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for nab 
Danielle Jennings, People.com, 23 Jan. 2025
Previous Slide Next Slide #3: Connecticut Connecticut nabbed the third place spot thanks to strong academic success and high-quality education.
—Ben Kesslen, Quartz, 22 Jan. 2025
Phillip, who actually cursed us with Dr. Will’s presence by nabbing the Banker’s Bonus last week along with Parvati, goes straight for the bonus again — which becomes important when everyone reconvenes to open their briefcases.
—Laura Bradley, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2025
Jeffrey Vargas, 45, was nabbed by police Thursday afternoon and charged with second-degree robbery and assault for the vicious Tuesday night attack at W. 49th St. and Eighth Ave.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for nab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nab
Verb
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By the time the multi-day Border Patrol operation ended, 78 undocumented immigrants had been arrested, according to the El Centro Sector of the Border Patrol.—
Rebecca Plevin,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Jan. 2025
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Rocky was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on April 20, 2022, and released on bail the same day, per the Los Angeles Times.—
Daniela Avila,
People.com,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
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In the hills of the Palisades, near the Temescal Ridge Trail, Alex Emerick, 34, his younger sister, Rainier, and their parents grabbed garden hoses at their home of 33 years.—
Laura J. Nelson,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Jan. 2025
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The witness jumped in to assist and grab the knife, cutting himself in the process.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Around 700,000 Israeli settlers live among 2.7 million Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, land Israel seized in the 1967 Middle East war.—
Reuters,
NBC News,
23 Jan. 2025
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Yemen's Houthi rebels announced on Wednesday the release of the crew of the Galaxy Leader, a commercial vessel seized in November 2023 during their campaign in the Red Sea.—
Raul A. Reyes,
Newsweek,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
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But this week in Sydney, a city known for its beaches and vibrant food scene, crowds flocked to catch a glimpse — and a whiff — of a rare flower whose scent has been lovingly compared to that of rotting flesh.—
Max Butterworth,
NBC News,
23 Jan. 2025
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There’s still a chance to catch this a poignant dramedy based on true events.—
Karu F. Daniels,
New York Daily News,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
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On Friday’s episode of The Excerpt podcast: President Donald Trump is expanding the pool of federal law enforcement officers who can investigate and apprehend immigrants.—
Taylor Wilson,
USA TODAY,
24 Jan. 2025
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The police’s bomb squad and FBI apprehend or kill most of the terrorists and capture 14 canisters of the chemical weapon attached to the U.N. building’s air vents, but Markus escapes and puts the final canister inside the HVAC system of a nearby hotel.—
Jake Kring-Schreifels,
TIME,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Green ended up on Cunningham on Detroit’s first possession and aggressively defended the latter, trying to snatch the ball out of his grasp.—
Kelly Iko,
The Athletic,
21 Jan. 2025
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The new program is launching as Fox News is snatching the bulk of viewers who watch cable news.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
21 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Deputies detained Wiggins and his girlfriend, then searched the house but did not find the victim.—
Michael McGough,
Sacramento Bee,
25 Jan. 2025
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Congress also passed the Laken Riley Act, which requires unauthorized migrants accused of theft and violent crimes be detained.—
Claire Malon,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Nab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nab. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
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