dab 1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈdab How to pronounce dab (audio)
Definition of dabnext
1
as in jab
a quick thrust one more quick dab of the brush and he would be finished with his painting

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in sprinkling
a very small amount she added a dab of sesame oil to the dressing before pouring it on the salad

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in slap
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument a bear can knock a man down with a simple dab of his paw

Synonyms & Similar Words

dab

2 of 3

noun (2)

chiefly British
as in expert
a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field a dab at finding unappreciated collectibles and reselling them at a considerable profit

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dab

3 of 3

verb

1
as in to smear

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Dissimilar Words
2
as in to pat

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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 dab
Noun
Dangbei rates it at 3,100 ISO lumens, which puts it pretty smack dab in the middle of projectors in this price range (MSRP is $1,999). — New Atlas, 15 Sep. 2026 Copper Dull copper pieces can be shined by using a dry cloth and a dab of toothpaste. — Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2026
Verb
First, dab excess oil or grease stains from the clothing with a clean cloth. — Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 5 July 2026 The former president's emotions were also on display when Michelle Obama asked him to look directly at her, and their daughters also dabbed their eyes with tissues. — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for dab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dab
  1. jab
  2. sprinkling
  3. slap
  4. expert
  5. smear
  6. pat
  7. punch
  8. splash
Noun
  • Hosted by Atlanta News First, the hourlong debate was caustic and the jabs often deeply personal.
    — AJC.com, AJC.com, 9 Oct. 2026
  • That song was almost a lighthearted jab, but also in a very real way.
    — Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of jab
Noun
  • Special teams had had a sprinkling of errors — like the game-opening 81-yard kickoff return Miami allowed — hindered that unit’s performance each week.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026
  • As ever, the lineup is a mix of new features from Asia’s best auteurs, a sprinkling of Hollywood movies and projects from up-and-coming filmmakers.
    — Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of sprinkling
Noun
  • The Wild, who have played all season without first-pair defenseman Brock Faber due to a skull fracture, lost forward Nico Sturm in the first period when he was hit on the side of the head by teammate Jared Spurgeon's slap shot.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • But, with seconds left on the clock, Patel wanted to get in one last slap shot.
    — Richie McGinniss, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of slap
Noun
  • They are usually still protected by maternal antibodies, experts say.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The Rockefeller Foundation has just published a policy proposal – developed in partnership with leading experts – that details how a Growth and Investment Reset could work.
    — Masood Ahmed, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of expert
Verb
  • Add the brown sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, salt, baking powder and baking soda to the bowl and use a rubber spatula to press and smear the ingredients until no chunks of butter remain.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Following Tuesday’s baseline dust-up after a foul on Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson confronted a fan, leading Cloud to take to Threads and smear both the Indiana Fever organization and the spectator.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of smear
Verb
  • In 2022, the paparazzi leaked photos of the two holding hands, nestled into each other at a New York bar, and Holmes patting Robach on the rear.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • And, like with Quincosa, a Customs agent patted Castillo down and found multiple plastic tubes covered in tape concealed under his pants.
    — David Goodhue October 7, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of pat
Noun
  • After landing several punches and kicks and taking his opponent to the ground multiple times, LaPenna eventually became fatigued and called for the match to be ended.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The Dodgers will need more punch from their lineup to have a chance at getting back to the Fall Classic.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of punch
Noun
  • More than a splash of color Perhaps the more interesting possibility lies beyond multi-color printing altogether.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
  • A touch of gold and a splash of paisley break up a powerful palette.
    — Ciarra Lorren Zatorski, Vogue, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of splash

Phrases Containing dab

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dab
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Cite this Entry

“Dab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dab. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dab

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