as in stabs
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object
jabbed a pickle and tossed it on the plate
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 jabs
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
25 June 2026
Weight-loss jabs are the latest craze for shedding a few pounds.
—
Nadine Wehida,
Scientific American,
25 June 2026
Records of public meetings and community newspapers feature jabs at how far these sorry kinsmen have strayed from their heritage.
—
Eythana Miller,
The Dial,
23 June 2026
The commander-in-chief and the former moderator for The View have traded jabs in a feud that has lasted for decades.
—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 June 2026
Last month, stars across comedy, film and music came together at the Kia Forum to participate, with appearances from and jabs thrown by the likes of Usher, Katt Williams, Teyana Taylor, The Rock and many others.
—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
13 June 2026
The hearing quickly became combative, with committee members using their five minutes of questioning to trade jabs about federal policy, assert opinions about education issues and attack one another — including, at times, the witnesses.
—
Molly Gibbs,
Mercury News,
11 June 2026
Through the media, Brunson and Hart often take jabs at one another because the bond is that strong.
—
James L. Edwards Iii,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
But while Josh is a magnet for easy jabs about NPR tote bags and Sierra Club memberships, there’s almost nothing in his storylines to suggest an aptitude for or even interest in the work of actual journalism.
—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
2 June 2026
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
But following elite competition is nearly impossible, with subtle flicks and jabs practically invisible to the naked eye—and competitors hidden behind masks.
—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
25 Apr. 2026
The public jabs from the president have angered some Catholics, the single largest religious denomination in the United States, according to Pew Research Center.
—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2026
Donald Trump‘s effort today to praise his new Homeland Security Secretary and defend him from Jimmy Kimmel‘s jabs kind of backfired.
—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
26 Mar. 2026
In another moment, long-time rivals Jett and Mane exchange jabs against one another over a livestream as thousands of roarball fans tune in and cheer them on in the comments.
—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
Srinivas, who often jabs the search engine giant, made an interesting point.
—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Haggard jabs Baird over mailers The race is already tense.
—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
13 Aug. 2025
His finger jabs on the second-to-last page, at the postscript.
—
Megan Spurrell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
Thankfully, there are self-aware jabs as well, and it’s all couched in a character- and ensemble-centric ending that has hearty portions that help the random sour bite go down smoothly.
—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
25 June 2026
Weight-loss jabs are the latest craze for shedding a few pounds.
—
Nadine Wehida,
Scientific American,
25 June 2026
Records of public meetings and community newspapers feature jabs at how far these sorry kinsmen have strayed from their heritage.
—
Eythana Miller,
The Dial,
23 June 2026
The commander-in-chief and the former moderator for The View have traded jabs in a feud that has lasted for decades.
—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 June 2026
Last month, stars across comedy, film and music came together at the Kia Forum to participate, with appearances from and jabs thrown by the likes of Usher, Katt Williams, Teyana Taylor, The Rock and many others.
—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
13 June 2026
The hearing quickly became combative, with committee members using their five minutes of questioning to trade jabs about federal policy, assert opinions about education issues and attack one another — including, at times, the witnesses.
—
Molly Gibbs,
Mercury News,
11 June 2026
Through the media, Brunson and Hart often take jabs at one another because the bond is that strong.
—
James L. Edwards Iii,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
But while Josh is a magnet for easy jabs about NPR tote bags and Sierra Club memberships, there’s almost nothing in his storylines to suggest an aptitude for or even interest in the work of actual journalism.
—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
2 June 2026
Verb
Continue reading … OUT OF LEFT FIELD — Tom Hanks jokingly jabs MS NOW while speaking with reporter live on the network.
—
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
But following elite competition is nearly impossible, with subtle flicks and jabs practically invisible to the naked eye—and competitors hidden behind masks.
—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
25 Apr. 2026
The public jabs from the president have angered some Catholics, the single largest religious denomination in the United States, according to Pew Research Center.
—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2026
Donald Trump‘s effort today to praise his new Homeland Security Secretary and defend him from Jimmy Kimmel‘s jabs kind of backfired.
—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
26 Mar. 2026
In another moment, long-time rivals Jett and Mane exchange jabs against one another over a livestream as thousands of roarball fans tune in and cheer them on in the comments.
—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
Srinivas, who often jabs the search engine giant, made an interesting point.
—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Haggard jabs Baird over mailers The race is already tense.
—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
13 Aug. 2025
His finger jabs on the second-to-last page, at the postscript.
—
Megan Spurrell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jabs
Noun
-
Rey exploded on Ethan with 10-count punches, but a tilt-a-whirl was countered by Page with a sitout faceplant.
-
Members of Rita's loyalty program who use the Rita’s Ice app will get double loyalty punches with a purchase of the treat.
Verb
-
Kara talks her out of it, and when Ruthye walks away, Kara turns back to Krem and stabs him multiple times with a sword.
-
On cue, a Frey leaps out and stabs Robb’s pregnant wife Talisa (Oona Chaplin) in the stomach, and a volley of crossbow arrows lay into Robb and his friends.
Noun
-
With SpaceX’s historic initial public offering minting a small army of new millionaires overnight, the Southern California housing market is bracing for a big wave of buyers looking to upgrade their digs or perhaps snag a second home, potentially driving up prices in some in-demand neighborhoods.
-
Shamea stands ten toes down, and the digs start flying again as Shamea brings out her receipts from Ashley.
Verb
-
Commentary and opinions In his latest column, Michael Hiltzik punctures the myth of Alan Greenspan, whose policies gave us the Great Recession.
-
If a foreign object punctures the tread or sidewall, your tire can deflate slowly or quickly, depending on the puncture.
Noun
-
If your everyday bra is worn out, replace it with this scalloped bra that provides padded support — without uncomfortable underwire that digs and pokes.
-
Then in the second, Mattias Samuelsson was allowed to take multiple pokes at Jeremy Swayman before Geekie clobbered him.
Verb
-
New reads abound for your vacation tote throughout the weeks of July, with fiction picks featuring a Carnival cruise casualty, a highly entertaining jewel heist at the Waldorf-Astoria, and a Soviet-era madcap adventure.
-
And with all the trades Peterson has pulled off in his tenure at the helm, the Hornets boast a treasure trove of draft picks just over the next five years alone.
Verb
-
And who the f--- pierces a 12 year old?
-
Lockwood’s music instills joy in listening, and such revitalized desire leaves your body freshly tender, sensitive to whatever pierces the ear.
Verb
-
The late Bill Carr, a former Florida athletic director who was Houston’s AD when the SWC breakup began, once summed this up to me in a way that still sticks.
-
No sooner does Aemond arrive than the silver-white-haired warrior sticks his blade into the smooth-talking Harrenhal caretaker, Ser Simon Strong, played by British thespian Simon Russell Beale.
Cite this Entry
“Jabs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jabs. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
