jab 1 of 2

as in punch
a quick thrust gave the jellyfish on the beach a cautious jab with my stick

Synonyms & Similar Words

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jab

2 of 2

verb

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 jab
Noun
Rather than committing to de-escalate tensions, both countries have recently taken fresh jabs in the trade war. Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 15 Sep. 2025 Crawford's jabs and movement consistently disrupted Alvarez's rhythm on Saturday, and by the sixth round, swelling under Alvarez's right eye started to put an end to the Mexican's chances of winning. Joel Thayer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
Trump on Wednesday took to Truth Social to jab Newsom with a couple of posts taunting the likely 2028 Democratic presidential contender. Amie Parnes, The Hill, 4 Sep. 2025 The Indian bucks would climb upon the rats’ huge nests — piles of sticks and rubbish as much as 10 feet high — and jab with long poles till the rats ran out. Robert Easton, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for jab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jab
Noun
  • The smallest snake in the state, the pygmy rattlesnake, packs a punch given its compact size.
    Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 18 Sep. 2025
  • The team in green silenced a sea of red and white with a sucker-punch of a goal from a set-play.
    Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In the third, a man stabbed his cell mate multiple times and attempted to hide his body under a sheet.
    Christopher Damien, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
  • The assailant then walked into the restaurant’s breakroom and began stabbing the victim multiple times, police said.
    Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Novo Brewing’s locations in Imperial Beach and Chula Vista serve Brazilian empanadas, poke nachos, several burgers and sandwiches, steaks and salads.
    Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The non-extinction of Zaglossus attenboroughi, in the Cyclops Mountains, first suspected in 2007 on evidence of nose pokes, was confirmed.
    Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • But all of that also was punctured in the last Super Bowl, when the Chiefs fell behind 34-0 before putting up some late points to make the final margin appear far more respectable than the game was.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Microneedling is a treatment that uses thin, vibrating needles to puncture your skin.
    Carley Millhone, Health, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Transfer to oven, and bake until apples are tender when pierced with a wooden pick, about 25 minutes.
    Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2025
  • In 2020, when the world shut down because of the Covid-19 pandemic, Rowan continued to operate by sending nurses to people’s homes to get their ears pierced.
    Jennifer Liu Tasia Jensen, CNBC, 20 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Check out our top picks below with trendy and timeless looks starting at just $25.
    Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2025
  • They were picked to finish 15th in the 17-team conference.
    Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Ruud made a big push at the start of the second set, looking to basically stick a fork in the match by winning the 28-year-old American’s initial service game.
    Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Neither of them stuck, but ideas kept coming.
    Jennifer Liu Tasia Jensen, CNBC, 20 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Jab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jab. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.

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