nab

verb

ˈnab How to pronounce nab (audio)
nabbed; nabbing
Synonyms of nab

transitive verb

1
: to catch or seize in arrest : apprehend
2
: to seize suddenly

Synonyms of nab

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Examples of nab in a Sentence

We nabbed seats in the front row of the theater. the officer nabbed the purse snatcher before he could escape
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Farrell won an Emmy and Golden Globe for his lead performance, and the show nabbed several best limited series nominations. — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026 Larry Kramer nabbed an Oscar nomination for his screenplay here, long before his legendary activism, and Glenda Jackson took home the Best Actress trophy — before also blazing a career fearless in politics and artistry. — Juan A. Ramírez, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2026 Reese nabbed a double double as well, with 30 points and 16 points. — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026 Law enforcement in Europe were able to nab two Turkish nationals allegedly behind the arson attack against the Starlink ground station in Poland. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nab

Word History

Etymology

perhaps alteration of English dialect nap

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nab was in 1686

Rhymes for nab

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Browse Nearby Words

Naats'ihch'oh National Park Reserve
nab
Nabal
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Cite this Entry

“Nab.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nab. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

nab

verb
ˈnab How to pronounce nab (audio)
nabbed; nabbing
1
: to seize and take into custody : arrest
2
: to seize suddenly
especially : steal entry 1 sense 2a
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