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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
Andy Andersen, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
Apply a dab of ketchup, then rinse away after about three minutes.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2025
C. Isaiah Smalls Ii, Miami Herald, 12 May 2025
Rinse Rinse the area by dabbing the fabric with a cloth dipped in clean water to remove soap residue.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dab
Noun
Mina helps Ray clean a big old dab of sauce from the corner of his mouth.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
Apply a dab of ketchup, then rinse away after about three minutes.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
Smack dab in the middle of Feldman’s list was Phillips whom the Dolphins selected in the fifth round.
—C. Isaiah Smalls Ii, Miami Herald, 12 May 2025
Rinse Rinse the area by dabbing the fabric with a cloth dipped in clean water to remove soap residue.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dab
Verb
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Like Mamdani and other politicians that have held a steady opposition to Cuomo, Lander has spent plenty of time smearing the former governor.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
8 June 2025
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As if this dramatic moment was not enough, ACT-UP member Mark Chaney took it upon himself to splash and smear several vials of a red liquid onto the door of the City Council chambers.—
Patrick Salland,
Kansas City Star,
5 June 2025
Verb
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During her emotional testimony, Clark often patted her eyes with a tissue.—
Nicki Brown,
CNN Money,
27 May 2025
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Catcher Alexis Ramirez, seated next to Grant and Woolery in the interview room, patted Grant on the shoulder.—
Ben Bolch,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 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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In a trailer for the album, Katt Williams was tapped as manager, taking us on a journey through Baby’s luxurious home — the same one featured in Architectural Digest.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
10 June 2025
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This program is a critical intervention to tap into that talent pool and align NYC’s economic growth with inclusive opportunity.—
Sindhya Valloppillil,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
Verb
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Come here for breakfast, and tear off a hunk of a just-out-of-the-oven baguette, slather it with salted premium French butter, sip great coffee, and kick off your day.—
Shivani Vora,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
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Imagine tender slices of juicy steak piled high on a crusty baguette, layered with sautéed onions and mushrooms, and slathered with a creamy mayo-mustard sauce.—
Linda Gassenheimer,
Boston Herald,
11 June 2025
Verb
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The first episode of Season 1 kicked off with the challenges: paint a horse while riding a horse, empty a bathtub without pulling the plug or tipping it over, and eat as much watermelon as possible.—
Robert Lloyd,
Los Angeles Times,
6 June 2025
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Stretching 500 miles from tip to tip, its sustained winds of 195 m.p.h.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
5 June 2025
Verb
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McGann remembers his grandmother plastering their den in Guilford, Connecticut, with newsprint.—
Wendy Goodman,
Curbed,
3 June 2025
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The Stars’ captain, Benn, absolutely plastered Bouchard in the second period with a heavy hit on the forecheck.—
Pierre LeBrun,
New York Times,
27 May 2025
Verb
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Now there was a crowd around the triple jump pit, clapping and cheering each jumper.—
Lori Riley,
Hartford Courant,
4 June 2025
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The mistake was so surprising that Cardoso — in a moment of youthful earnestness — clapped both of her hands over her mouth in shock before scrambling back and ultimately fouling Arike Ogunbowale.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
31 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dab. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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