NABBED Synonyms: 95 Similar and Opposite Words

nabbed

verb

past tense of nab

as in arrested

to take or keep under one's control by authority of law the officer nabbed the purse snatcher before he could escape

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in grabbed

to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly a pickpocket nabbed my wallet

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 nabbed Debuting in limited release from A24 was Chris Rock’s Misty Green, which nabbed $27,000 on Friday from six locations in New York and Los Angeles. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026 Many of the wines that were nabbed are beloved by the wine community the world over, such as Tignanello, one of the first Super Tuscans, a red wine that is blended entirely without white grapes. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026 The acquaintance told police where Carrasco was hiding out and cops raced there and nabbed him. — Theodore Parisienne, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026 At The Disco’s Brendon Urie, nabbed the Best Visual Effects award. — Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2026 Instead of its famous Stars, Michelin awards the world’s best hotels with Keys — and a Charlotte hotspot has once again nabbed this coveted honor. — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 23 Sep. 2026 The Chiefs’ defense nabbed a pick on the first series and allowed only 10 points. — Scott Chasen, Kansas City Star, 20 Sep. 2026 Luminous Silk Concealer debuted in 2020 and promptly won an Allure Best of Beauty Award (then nabbed another one in 2025). — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 18 Sep. 2026 Pittsburgh International Airport nabbed a top spot among North America's best medium airports based on its customer satisfaction scores, according to a recent study by JD Power. — Finch Walker, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nabbed

Verb

Agents arrested four people, including the property owner, and arrested a fifth the next day, according to previous Statesman reporting.

— Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 19 Oct. 2026
Among the 105 people who were ultimately arrested, 75 are believed to have been deported to their home countries, according to local media, and 26 were released from ICE custody after their lawyers filed habeas corpus petitions.

— Philip Wang, Time, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of arrested

Verb

The latest conflict between the Saudis and the Houthis began last month after the rebels seized key areas along the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical waterway for oil shipments.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
Another Renoir, a Cézanne and a Matisse were taken from the Magnani Rocca Foundation near Parma, Italy, in March (and also later recovered), while four Renaissance paintings by Antonello da Messina were seized from a Sicilian museum in August.

— Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of seized

Verb

The initial patient — a Kenyan citizen — caught the deadly virus while living in Congo and died earlier this month.

— O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 15 Oct. 2026
Cooks played nearly every snap after Samuel departed and caught a touchdown on a target inside the 10-yard line.

— Dalton Del Don, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of caught

Verb

Durham was later apprehended and served time in prison for the crime, but not before selling the paintings to a notorious crime boss who was later found in possession of the art.

— Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
Two detainees held at Florida's Deportation Depot west of Jacksonville were released by mistake over the weekend and later apprehended and returned to the detention facility, officials have confirmed.

— CBS News, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of apprehended

Verb

Once the vehicle is loaded on it, the slave deck can easily be snatched with a front-end loader sporting long forks.

— Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 14 Oct. 2026
Little buried the 57-yard field goal as the Jaguars snatched victory from the jaws (or, in this case, claws) of defeat.

— Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of snatched

Verb

Pictures and video are only captured when the camera senses a vehicle going 10 miles per hour or more above the speed limit.

— Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
Last week, the militia took a leading role in an operation to retake the strategically vital Red Sea port of Mocha, captured by the Houthis last month.

— Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of captured

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

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Synonyms of nabbed

verb

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