1
as in seizes
to take or keep under one's control by authority of law
the officer nabbed the purse snatcher before he could escape
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in grabs
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly
a pickpocket nabbed my wallet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nabs
India nabs a noteworthy launch contract.
—
Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
Gray is the big discovery, as the kid actor nabs the break of a lifetime to star alongside Gosling in a Star Wars feature.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
Morgan and Riley both end up locking in a score of 29, but a potential tie is a non-issue because Mickey nabs a 38.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 21 Aug. 2025
Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
Gray is the big discovery, as the kid actor nabs the break of a lifetime to star alongside Gosling in a Star Wars feature.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
Morgan and Riley both end up locking in a score of 29, but a potential tie is a non-issue because Mickey nabs a 38.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nabs
Verb
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When Day succumbs to his wounds, Dusk seizes the vacuum, claiming Hari Seldon’s psychohistory crystal.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
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By the time Megan seizes control of the reins at the film’s close, the abrupt denouement feels jarringly disconnected rather than organic to the storytelling.—
Michael Rechtshaffen,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But the feeling when a film grabs hold remains the same—by a story, a character, a voice—that, never goes out of season.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
10 Sep. 2025
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The lilting Calle Malaga, Morocco’s official entry for the International Feature Film Oscar, is a joy largely because of its veteran star who envelops the screen and grabs a role of a career.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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If your application catches FIFA’s eye, the next step is an invitation to Volunteer Team Tryouts, which run from October through January 2026.—
Meredith Heil Bock,
AFAR Media,
18 Sep. 2025
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Alphonse Pierre’s Off the Dome column covers songs, mixtapes, albums, scenes, snippets, movies, Meek Mill tweets, fashion trends—and anything else that catches his attention.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Suppose the number is read in one case out of a hundred, and that the information reaches someone who apprehends the culprit in one case out of one thousand.—
Thomas Brewster,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Wednesday then rescues Pugsley as Gomez and Morticia arrive, but before the family can properly reunite, Isaac snatches Wednesday into his telekinetic grip, choking her.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
4 Sep. 2025
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And just when the woman and the cookie are about to share a kiss, a hand reaches in from above and snatches the cookie from the scene.—
Moná Thomas,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Pinault family owns 42 percent of shares in Kering and detains 59 percent of voting rights.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
9 Sep. 2025
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The play is set in the real-life town of Lumpkin, whose economy has become reliant on a private prison that detains immigrants.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Future of Money Is on the Line The battle over stablecoin yields captures a broader struggle over the future of finance.—
Becca Bratcher,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
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The proof-of-concept pilot episode captures the hilarious chaos of their daily lives, from dead-end service jobs and accidental laxative mishaps to the launch of their new podcast.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Now the actor gets texts from people like his co-star, Harrison Ford.—
H. Alan Scott,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
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From baking cookies to roasting chicken, your oven gets a lot of use during the week.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nabs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nabs. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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