1
2
as in sprinkling
a very small amount
she added a dab of sesame oil to the dressing before pouring it on the salad
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in slap
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
a bear can knock a man down with a simple dab of his paw
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in expert
a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field
a dab at finding unappreciated collectibles and reselling them at a considerable profit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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 dab
Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 24 June 2025
Vaporizers and Dab Pens For the cannabis connoisseur who prefers discreet consumption, a high-quality vaporizer or dab pen is a fantastic gift.
—Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 9 May 2025
Amy Panos, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 June 2025
If your child has a runny nose, prevent their skin from drying out by applying a dab of petroleum jelly.
—Aleksandra Weber, Parents, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dab
Noun
Hairstylist and owner of Salon PK Pekela Riley suggests dipping a Q-tip or cotton ball into an apple cider vinegar rinse, then lightly dabbing it on affected areas to dissolve buildup and soothe the itchies.
—Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 24 June 2025
Vaporizers and Dab Pens For the cannabis connoisseur who prefers discreet consumption, a high-quality vaporizer or dab pen is a fantastic gift.
—Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 9 May 2025
Verb
There are even small canisters with twist-off lids for transporting just a dab of that expensive moisturizer or eye cream.
—Amy Panos, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 June 2025
If your child has a runny nose, prevent their skin from drying out by applying a dab of petroleum jelly.
—Aleksandra Weber, Parents, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dab
Verb
-
Blood appeared to be smeared across the woman’s nose and mouth and across the sheets, according to court documents.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
26 June 2025
-
In the video, Adira takes a special liking to the lipstick, smearing it all over her own mouth and chin, while Olympia seemed to be taking her mom’s notes on how to perfect a makeup look.—
Rachel McRady,
People.com,
18 June 2025
Verb
-
Slim promptly pockets and pats them for safekeeping.—
Jennifer Leigh Parker,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
-
Brinkley recounts that Billy made his way over to the piano and patted the bench.—
Richard Johnson,
New York Daily News,
20 July 2025
Verb
-
In another, an audience get to its feet to applaud a famed film director who’s accepting a prize at an awards gala, his face daubed in Indigenous face paint style.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
19 June 2025
-
On the front steps, insults daubed in spray paint were directed at both Mayor Karen Bass and President Trump.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
Verb
-
Clipse tapped Kendrick Lamar, Nas, Stove God Cooks, and more for their lyrical exhibition.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
15 July 2025
-
The perfumes and hand creams are manufactured in the United States, tapping into some of the relationships Christina built in the industry.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 July 2025
Verb
-
Back in her day, the hotel heiress was seen in a bathing suit and high heels slathering up a Bentley while basically making out with her lunch.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
14 July 2025
-
Summer is firmly underway, and that means our editors are busy having fun in the sun (with our SPF slathered on) — and, of course, looking good while doing it.—
Karina Hoshikawa,
refinery29.com,
3 July 2025
Verb
-
General manager Brian Cashman has already tipped his hand in that regard.—
Mike Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
-
Second half revenues growth is tipped to be lower than that of the first half, reflecting the record sales printed in the corresponding 2024 period.—
Royston Wild,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
Verb
-
The show was plastered on multiple jumbo screens inside the establishment.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
12 July 2025
-
Johnson hopes plastering perpetrators' faces on the city website will deter them from illegally dumping.—
Gina Lee Castro,
jsonline.com,
9 July 2025
Verb
-
The short clip shows Aguilera — an executive producer on the musical — smiling and clapping during the performance, with scenes from the production spliced throughout.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
20 July 2025
-
As the song continued, Amora, from her highchair, chewed her food and clapped alongside her mom to the song.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dab. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share