grab 1 of 2

verb

ˈgrab How to pronounce grab (audio)
Definition of grabnext
as in to snatch
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly don't grab my arm like that

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

grab

2 of 2

noun

as in theft
an instance of theft a political activist who thinks the government's lease of public lands to logging companies amounts to an illegal land grab

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word grab different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of grab are clutch, grasp, seize, snatch, and take. While all these words mean "to get hold of by or as if by catching up with the hand," grab implies more roughness or rudeness than snatch.

grabbed roughly by the arm

When can clutch be used instead of grab?

Although the words clutch and grab have much in common, clutch suggests avidity or anxiety in seizing or grasping and may imply less success in holding.

clutching her purse

In what contexts can grasp take the place of grab?

In some situations, the words grasp and grab are roughly equivalent. However, grasp stresses a laying hold so as to have firmly in possession.

grasp the handle and pull

Where would seize be a reasonable alternative to grab?

The words seize and grab can be used in similar contexts, but seize implies a sudden and forcible movement in getting hold of something tangible or an apprehending of something fleeting or elusive when intangible.

seized the suspect

How do snatch and seize relate to one another, in the sense of grab?

Snatch suggests more suddenness or quickness but less force than seize.

snatched a doughnut and ran

When could take be used to replace grab?

The words take and grab are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, take is a general term applicable to any manner of getting something into one's possession or control.

take some salad from the bowl

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 grab
Verb
In 2026, the preppy shoe got a refresh—the silhouette comes in pretty suede hues, or with sleek buckles and studs, and maximalists can even grab the flats in fun animal prints like snake and leopard. — Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 2 Aug. 2026 The Dodgers’ injury-scarred rotation needed a stud starting pitcher like Skubal and, as this column noted last month, there was no excuse for baseball’s wealthiest and smartest team not to grab him. — Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Noun
Love seemed to lead Watson too far, but the fifth-year wideout made a sensational grab for six during a red zone drill. — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 The Observation Lounge was rarely busy early, a peaceful spot with sweeping ocean views and a grab-and-go breakfast. — Belinda Luksic, Southern Living, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for grab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grab
  1. snatch
  2. theft
  3. seize
  4. snatching
  5. catch
  6. get
  7. capture
  8. land
Verb
  • The phone on the wall rang, and Rebecca snatched the receiver, then pulled the curly cord down the steps to the basement and shut the door.
    — Rachel Yoder, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2026
  • In Friday’s first red zone drill of training camp, Purdy wisely threw a ball that the 6-foot-5 Evans snatched high at the goal line, with an almost unnecessary leap against 5-foot-9 cornerback Upton Stout.
    — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of snatch
Noun
  • After committing theft or fraud, the con man used his background as a cop to his advantage while in county jail.
    — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026
  • Newsom drew a parallel to the plague of retail theft that captivated the state not long ago, and which the state has successfully combated.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of theft
Verb
  • The pivotal moment occurred when Randy Orton made a shocking return, delivering an RKO to Cody Rhodes, which allowed Punk to seize the opportunity and secure the pinfall.
    — Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The 12th-century castle, also known as Al-Shaqif, was seized by Israeli forces in May.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of seize
Noun
  • Many Londoners have firsthand experience of phone-snatching or have witnessed a surge in shoplifting and subway fare-dodging.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
  • Over the years, several polls have been marred by voter intimidation, the snatching of ballot boxes, and post-election violence.
    — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of snatching
Verb
  • While browsing for antiques, an eye caught the eyes of David and Nan Skier.
    — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Gable suplexed Penta into the corner and went for a flying headbutt, but Penta caught him in an armbar, busting Gable’s shoulder.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of catch
Verb
  • When Marshall showed up, Reyes and Chamberlain both fired guns at Marshall as Marshall tried to get away, according to the affidavit.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 July 2026
  • The idea is that the more of the filter feeders cling to the seawall, the cleaner the canal gets.
    — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
Definition of get
Verb
  • The chain of events that led to another extermination began when Lauren Cohan’s Maggie and Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s Negan captured their season 2 nemesis, the Dama (Lisa Emery), after the big bad had her men attack them.
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026
  • But nothing has quite captured the pure animalististic terror of the moment in this episode when Rhaena, Daemon, Rhaenyra and Addam all come face-to-face, dragon-to-dragon.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of capture
Verb
  • Surrounded by hundreds of butterflies fluttering between tropical plants inside the Powell Gardens Conservatory, Heidi Boehm watched as visitors stopped, looked upward and waited for one to land nearby.
    — Sophia Buonpane, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
  • After moving to New York after college in 2009, Ian started looking for a creative way to avoid paying rent, and landed on the idea of living aboard a sailboat.
    — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of land

Phrases Containing grab

Browse Nearby Words

gownsmen
grab
grab bag
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grab. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on grab

Nglish: Translation of grab for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of élan

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All