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
He was placed in a police van by a family member and was set to return home from the intensive care unit on the same day police nabbed a second suspect wanted for the caught-on-video Saturday beatdown.
—
Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 28 May 2025
Jin nabs his highest-charting effort on the Billboard 200 as Echo arrives at No. 3.
—Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 25 May 2025
While many other actors were up for the coveted roles, in the end, Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth nabbed the parts of Katniss, Peeta and Gale.
—Kelsie Gibson, People.com, 24 May 2025
David Tennant would probably have liked to use the TARDIS to nab the lead role in Walt Disney Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for nab
Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 28 May 2025
Jin nabs his highest-charting effort on the Billboard 200 as Echo arrives at No. 3.
—Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 25 May 2025
While many other actors were up for the coveted roles, in the end, Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth nabbed the parts of Katniss, Peeta and Gale.
—Kelsie Gibson, People.com, 24 May 2025
David Tennant would probably have liked to use the TARDIS to nab the lead role in Walt Disney Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for nab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nab
Verb
-
Georgia is then arrested and driven away in a cop car, setting the stage for an intense court battle and a potential prison sentence in Season 3.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
-
The Columbia County, Oregon, Sheriff’s Office arrested the suspect on May 22, the FBI said.—
Rebekah Riess,
CNN Money,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
Scott grabbed some pizza and returned to park her Subaru near the West Shore Market to wait for Serafini.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
6 June 2025
-
Appeal To All Five Senses People still like going out, meeting others and grabbing coffee.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
This harmonious and uplifting transit encourages you to take bold steps toward your desires and seize opportunities that come your way.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
3 June 2025
-
Flores, a 70-year-old retired welder, had illegally seized a home five years ago after its owner, the California Department of Transportation, had left it vacant.—
Liam Dillon,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2025
Verb
-
Fans lined up early and made signs to catch a glimpse of the future star.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2025
-
On his Instagram Stories, Brady gave fans a glimpse into the father-son duo's time on the water, alongside a selfie of them catching some rays.—
Hannah Sacks,
People.com,
4 June 2025
Verb
-
Kendall nearly escapes with the cash, but the cops arrive just in time to apprehend him.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
5 June 2025
-
Tolbert was apprehended inside a hotel at 204 N. Washington St. in Ellis, Kansas, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation said in a statement.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2025
Verb
-
Burglars clean out father-son jewelers, snatch heirlooms, ‘a lifetime’s worth of work.’ More big stories Three more wolf packs confirmed in California as ranchers call for relief.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2025
-
This CeraVe sunscreen stick with SPF 50 has been snatched up more than 20,000 times in the past month alone.—
Clint Davis,
People.com,
30 May 2025
Verb
-
For several hours Friday, advocates gathered outside Ambiance Apparel’s warehouse shouting legal advice to those being detained inside.—
Rachel Uranga,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2025
-
Fewer than 80 of the 500 people detained by ICE had criminal records.—
Sergio Martínez-Beltrán,
NPR,
7 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nab. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share