nab

verb

ˈnab 

nabbed; nabbing

transitive verb

1

: to catch or seize in arrest : apprehend

2

: to seize suddenly

Synonyms

• apprehend
• arrest
• bust [slang]
• collar
• nail
• nick [British slang]
• pick up
• pinch
• pull in
• restrain
• run in
• seize

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

Sony Pictures Classics has nabbed the worldwide rights to Richard Linklater’s Blue Moon, which is set to star Ethan Hawke, Margaret Qualley, Bobby Cannavale and Andrew Scott. —Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 June 2024

The Merrily We Roll Along star nabbed the award for best performance by a leading actor in a musical for his work in the Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim’s 1981 musical at the 2024 Tony Awards on Sunday, June 16. —Luke Chinman, Peoplemag, 17 June 2024

Police quickly nabbed him, and he was packed off to a reformatory. —Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News, 16 June 2024

Edmundo Sosa scored to give the Phillies a 3-2 lead, but Santander nabbed Johan Rojas trying to score. —Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 15 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

perhaps alteration of English dialect nap

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

nab

verb

ˈnab 

nabbed; nabbing

1

: to seize and take into custody : arrest

2

: to seize suddenly

especially : steal entry 1 sense 2a