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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to grab
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly
a pickpocket nabbed my wallet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 nab
Clark fondly recalls a summer league game when Balanag nabbed three runners in the first two innings.
—
Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
The Netflix limited series nabbed 11 nominations, including Leading Actor, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, and Memorable Moment.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2026
North of North, a CBC and Netflix comedy set in Canada’s icy Arctic, has nabbed a field-leading 20 nominations heading into the Canadian Screen Awards.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 25 Mar. 2026
Ball was named the Eastern Conference player of the week on Monday, nabbing the honor for the first time in his career.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nab
Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
The Netflix limited series nabbed 11 nominations, including Leading Actor, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, and Memorable Moment.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2026
North of North, a CBC and Netflix comedy set in Canada’s icy Arctic, has nabbed a field-leading 20 nominations heading into the Canadian Screen Awards.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 25 Mar. 2026
Ball was named the Eastern Conference player of the week on Monday, nabbing the honor for the first time in his career.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nab
Verb
-
Officials said the shooter, an Army sergeant who worked at the base, used his personal handgun before he was tackled by fellow soldiers and arrested.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The Erie County District Attorney's Office said Shah Alam was arrested following an incident that resulted in minor injuries to two Buffalo police officers.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Making his fifth start of the season in Queta’s absence, the backup center tallied 20 points on 8-of-9 shooting and grabbed nine rebounds.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Miami is now 10-2 this season when grabbing more than 15 offensive rebounds.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Police said that officers seized a quantity of marijuana and a gun that was later found to have been stolen.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
How Jewish villas in the posh Grunewald area were bought up or seized by Nazi bigshots, but now belong to Russian oligarchs.—
John Powers,
NPR,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Calls come in about elders caught in financial scams or elders who are sick.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Secure loose outdoor items and adjust plans as necessary so you're not caught outside.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Police officials said the Bronx Warrant Squad was trying to apprehend Lucien Colon, 44.—
Doug Williams,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Following a brief foot pursuit, officers apprehended him in the vicinity of the stabbing, authorities said.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This is the same person who cut off dribble-drives in a second-half effort that shut down Minnesota in the Sweet 16, who snatched a pass that was nearly out of bounds for a layup.—
Haley Sawyer,
Daily News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
For years, defense tech has fought to prove itself in Washington and grab a chunk of the ballooning Pentagon budget snatched up by defense primes like Lockheed Martin, RTX and Northrop Grumman.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Police detain Nerdeen Kiswani during a protest on April 12, 2024, in New York.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The Department of Homeland Security detained Avila without bond and began deportation proceedings.—
AUDREY McAVOY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nab. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
