1
as in arresting
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 grabbing
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly
a pickpocket nabbed my wallet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 nabbing
In addition to nabbing an Olympic alternate spot in 2024, Turner took home a hefty three-medal haul from the 2024 Pan American Championships.
—
Caroline Price, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
Meek appeared in a handful of minor roles in TV and short films before nabbing the role of Young Baby Driver in Edgar Wright’s 2017 feature about a getaway driver tied up with a crime boss and a heist gone wrong.
—Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Dec. 2024
The crooks threw the victim to the ground and struck him repeatedly before nabbing a silver briefcase containing a fortune in jewelry, law enforcement sources told the Daily News.
—Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 13 Dec. 2024
In fact, Wallen, a divisive country music star, was beloved in Raleigh this year — nabbing a spot in the city's favorite artists, songs and albums — while not getting any mention among Durham's favorites.
—Zachery Eanes, Axios, 5 Dec. 2024
In addition to nabbing a nod for best motion picture – drama, stars Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones both scored acting nominations and Guy Pearce took one for supporting.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 9 Dec. 2024
Meanwhile, Louis Vuitton set up a lively 11-minute conversation between its fashion director and actress Emma Stone — nabbing a 20% higher watch time than the industry average.
—Anne Marie Nelson-Bogle, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
In June, Van Dyke made history by becoming the oldest Daytime Emmy winner after nabbing the award for best guest performer in a daytime drama series for his role as Timothy Robicheaux on Days of Our Lives.
—Esther Kang, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024
Seasonal tax delivery manager – global employer services All of the top five positions paying over the $200,000 benchmark are in the medical field, with dentistry roles appearing the most frequently and general practitioners nabbing the top spot.
—Brooke Seipel, Fortune, 4 Dec. 2024
Caroline Price, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
Meek appeared in a handful of minor roles in TV and short films before nabbing the role of Young Baby Driver in Edgar Wright’s 2017 feature about a getaway driver tied up with a crime boss and a heist gone wrong.
—Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Dec. 2024
The crooks threw the victim to the ground and struck him repeatedly before nabbing a silver briefcase containing a fortune in jewelry, law enforcement sources told the Daily News.
—Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 13 Dec. 2024
In fact, Wallen, a divisive country music star, was beloved in Raleigh this year — nabbing a spot in the city's favorite artists, songs and albums — while not getting any mention among Durham's favorites.
—Zachery Eanes, Axios, 5 Dec. 2024
In addition to nabbing a nod for best motion picture – drama, stars Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones both scored acting nominations and Guy Pearce took one for supporting.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 9 Dec. 2024
Meanwhile, Louis Vuitton set up a lively 11-minute conversation between its fashion director and actress Emma Stone — nabbing a 20% higher watch time than the industry average.
—Anne Marie Nelson-Bogle, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
In June, Van Dyke made history by becoming the oldest Daytime Emmy winner after nabbing the award for best guest performer in a daytime drama series for his role as Timothy Robicheaux on Days of Our Lives.
—Esther Kang, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024
Seasonal tax delivery manager – global employer services All of the top five positions paying over the $200,000 benchmark are in the medical field, with dentistry roles appearing the most frequently and general practitioners nabbing the top spot.
—Brooke Seipel, Fortune, 4 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nabbing
Verb
-
As Andrew Lloyd Webber’s go-to orchestrator during some of the composer’s most creative years, Cullen has translated many of the composer’s most arresting melodies into lush, full-bodied and evocative orchestral music.—
Darryn King,
Forbes,
27 Dec. 2024
-
By then, Texas police were beginning to surpass federal authorities in arresting and prosecuting people for human smuggling.—
Alejandro Serrano,
Austin American-Statesman,
26 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Edwards delivered in a big way, scoring a career-high 53 points, hitting 10 3-pointers and grabbing six rebounds.—
Jon Krawczynski,
The Athletic,
5 Jan. 2025
-
But those are just two headline-grabbing crimes.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
5 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Pretending to be dead, Gi-hun and his friends launch a surprise attack, overpowering the guards and seizing their weapons, leaving only one guard alive.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes,
28 Dec. 2024
-
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) forces have since received training by Russian forces in the Far East and first engaged in combat with Ukrainian military in November, subsequently seizing their first village in Kursk, Plekhovo, earlier this month.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Schar and Duran had stretched for a loose ball and the Newcastle centre-half had slid in to win it, with Duran first catching him on the buttock and then in the small of the back.—
George Caulkin,
The Athletic,
27 Dec. 2024
-
From the Mid-Rise Showdown Trousers that are perfectly relaxed-fitting and comfortable to the eye-catching Faux Leather Power Hour Joggers that are stylish enough to dress up for dinner or an evening out while on vacation, there are options for every type of traveler — and budget.—
Amber Love Bond,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The group uses an audio lure to entice the birds, capturing them in mist nets to bring back to the banding station.—
Kayla Randall,
Smithsonian Magazine,
3 Jan. 2025
-
In the second half of 2024, in particular, the stock struggled to gain traction amid concerns that its data center AI chip was not capturing as much market share as hoped.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
3 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near nabbing
Cite this Entry
“Nabbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nabbing. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share