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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
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Recent Examples of dab
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 17 Mar. 2025
Add a dab of toothpaste to 1-2 T of water.
—Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 17 Mar. 2025
Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2025
The restorers dabbed lightly at the vast blue background that surrounds a lone Christ, his head bent and his hands clutched into fists, a fitting image of meditation for the convent’s former chapter house, where monks once reached the order’s main decisions.
—Clara Vannucci, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dab
Noun
Copper Dull copper pieces can be shined by using a dry cloth and a dab of toothpaste.
—Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 17 Mar. 2025
Add a dab of toothpaste to 1-2 T of water.
—Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
Once cooled, dab Vaseline around the edges and over the spill.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2025
The restorers dabbed lightly at the vast blue background that surrounds a lone Christ, his head bent and his hands clutched into fists, a fitting image of meditation for the convent’s former chapter house, where monks once reached the order’s main decisions.
—Clara Vannucci, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dab
Verb
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Timothy Martin smeared red and black paint on a case shielding a nearly 150-year-old sculpture by Edgar Degas, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2025
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Martin and a companion on April 27, 2023, entered the Washington, DC, museum and smeared washable red and black paint on the case protecting Edgar Degas’s 1881 Little Dancer Aged Fourteen in an effort to bring attention to the climate crisis.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Standing in the pen behind the bull, Glass makes kissing noises and pats the animal’s rump for encouragement, while Scalisi stands ready, hand on the chute’s lever.—
Phillip Valys,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Mar. 2025
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Two of the tougher-looking recruits behind me thought this was funny, and one patted me on the back.—
Graydon Carter,
The Atlantic,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In one group of anoles, the researchers daubed the reptiles’ snouts and heads (avoiding the nostrils) with a thin layer of emollient to prevent air bubbles from adhering to the anoles’ heads.—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN,
17 Sep. 2024
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Their victorious players meander over, gathering in front of a chainlink fence draped with handmade banners daubed in the dark green and deep burgundy of Mohun Bagan, India’s great footballing powerhouse.—
Rory Smith,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Chuck Lorre has been tapped to give a keynote speech at the upcoming Banff World Media Festival.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
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Last February, the actress was tapped by Moroccanoil to front the brand’s first fragrance campaign.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In addition to slathering on a sweat-proof sunscreen, wear this $20 sun hoodie, which blocks at least 98 percent of UVA and UVB rays.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Apr. 2025
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Egg white face masks, made by slathering raw egg whites onto your skin, are said to help with breakouts, dry skin, and fine lines.—
Kathleen Ferraro,
Verywell Health,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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But Outback’s mistakes and competitors’ innovative strategies have tipped the power order in the restaurant steak wars.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2025
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Sergio Pérez is tipped to make a Formula One return with Cadillac in 2026 when the sport enters a new era of regulations.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Pennoyer added gentle vaults to the sides of the entry gallery’s plastered ceiling, which Cathey then had lacquered, commissioning églomisé artist Miriam Ellner to decorate the glass panels of the central lantern.—
Andrew Sessa,
Architectural Digest,
2 Apr. 2025
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Inside a former cotton grading warehouse, where the walls are plastered with old concert posters and heavily graffitied with Sharpie signatures, the audience is buzzing with anticipation for the night’s show.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
29 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Why are the fans suddenly clapping that odd rhythm in unison?—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
15 Apr. 2025
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He was also seen as a member of the audience clapping along while Jack Black danced through the crowd during last week's monologue.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
13 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dab. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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