as in seizes
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly
don't grab my arm like that
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of grabs
Outside Online, 11 Feb. 2026
The man grabs her and also takes her cell phone.
—Jermont Terry, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
Even the Puppy Bowl crew occasionally grabs a few.
—Chris Sims, Indianapolis Star, 8 Feb. 2026
The driver's door opens and an officer grabs Trevion's wrist and pulls him out.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 7 Feb. 2026
The fun begins when a snook grabs the bait.
—Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
Even the Puppy Bowl crew occasionally grabs a few.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 6 Feb. 2026
Nick Benson grabs his tripod and his camera, and heads out the door to count.
—Kat Lonsdorf, NPR, 6 Feb. 2026
Judges look to see whether the rider actually grabs the board, not just places their hand on top of it, and some of these grabs need to be executed between bindings.
—Joseph Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Joseph Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Republicans hold only a four-vote majority in the House, with political analysts projecting about 20 swing seats up for grabs.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2026
The Red Sox have Trevor Story as their starting shortstop, but second and third are up for grabs.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
The departure adds to the growing list of House seats up for grabs as incumbents depart or seek other offices.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Feb. 2026
George Pickens was named offensive MVP after making some highlight-reel grabs as the NFC defeated the AFC 66-52 in the league’s now-annual flag football game.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 3 Feb. 2026
All 435 House seats will be up for grabs.
—Kate Perez, USA Today, 2 Feb. 2026
There were actually 22 feature-film trophies up for grabs at the 1951 ceremony, but that number is a bit deceptive.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
Now each of those offices is up for grabs, and the winners will run the state and oversee elections in 2028.
—Patricia Murphy, AJC.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
Soon thereafter, a gear fishing pal of yours gifted you an old, unused fly rod, and that totally grabs a hold of you and completely directs the rest of your life.
—Outside Online, 11 Feb. 2026
The man grabs her and also takes her cell phone.
—Jermont Terry, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
Even the Puppy Bowl crew occasionally grabs a few.
—Chris Sims, Indianapolis Star, 8 Feb. 2026
The driver's door opens and an officer grabs Trevion's wrist and pulls him out.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 7 Feb. 2026
The fun begins when a snook grabs the bait.
—Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
Even the Puppy Bowl crew occasionally grabs a few.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 6 Feb. 2026
Nick Benson grabs his tripod and his camera, and heads out the door to count.
—Kat Lonsdorf, NPR, 6 Feb. 2026
Judges look to see whether the rider actually grabs the board, not just places their hand on top of it, and some of these grabs need to be executed between bindings.
—Joseph Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
Grabs, Part 2 Freeskiing has its own glossary of these grabs, including Japan (behind and across to grab opposite ski) and seat belt (imagine putting a seatbelt on, but by bringing the buckle up to grab the latch).
—Joseph Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Republicans hold only a four-vote majority in the House, with political analysts projecting about 20 swing seats up for grabs.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2026
The Red Sox have Trevor Story as their starting shortstop, but second and third are up for grabs.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
The departure adds to the growing list of House seats up for grabs as incumbents depart or seek other offices.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Feb. 2026
George Pickens was named offensive MVP after making some highlight-reel grabs as the NFC defeated the AFC 66-52 in the league’s now-annual flag football game.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 3 Feb. 2026
All 435 House seats will be up for grabs.
—Kate Perez, USA Today, 2 Feb. 2026
There were actually 22 feature-film trophies up for grabs at the 1951 ceremony, but that number is a bit deceptive.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
Now each of those offices is up for grabs, and the winners will run the state and oversee elections in 2028.
—Patricia Murphy, AJC.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grabs
Verb
-
Iran seizes 2 ships on smuggling claims DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Iran seized two foreign oil tankers in the Persian Gulf on Thursday, state television reported, claiming the vessels had been smuggling fuel.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Leavitt turns the tables on media outrage as FBI seizes Fulton election documents.—
,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Police arrested a Long Beach man allegedly tied to a string of bronze plaque thefts in several Orange County cities.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The initial deployment was in response to a spike in auto thefts in the city, which peaked at 1,205 in 2022 (amid an overall surge in Colorado).—
John Aguilar,
Denver Post,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
There’s much for delight, but the drama lost steam in a confusing episode near the end, when a Snake (portrayed by Abrahamse) snatches the Prince away.—
Scott Cantrell,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Maisie is a throw-away child in 1910, captivated by a poster of a magical French carousel, when an aunt snatches her out of poverty and takes her into the home of her wealthy employer, a British lord.—
Sandra Dallas,
Denver Post,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Although the paint job catches the eye, the new stands, which cost about $87,000 each, have several features that will be helpful to lifeguards and beachgoers.—
Lois K. Solomon,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Your keen insight catches what others miss — even a small domestic shift can turn nagging stress into quiet stability that feeds body and mind!—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This negative space French tip captures the nostalgia of cutting out paper hearts for your valentine.—
Rebecca Norris,
InStyle,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Here, Keïta captures a pair of women—holding each other at the shoulders and the hands—dressed in traditional Malian robe-like garments called boubou.—
Zoë Hopkins,
New Yorker,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The bill would still allow Irvine to complain to authorities if a neighbor’s party gets too loud.—
Mark Dee,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Feb. 2026
-
As the water boils and the microwave interior gets steamy, your kitchen will fill with the soothing smell.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Still, the resolution lands at a complicated intersection for the city.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
-
What happens if yours lands on the leap day?—
Sarah Moore,
Freep.com,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grabs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grabs. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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