nab
6 synonyms for nab, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To catch or arrest someone, especially a criminal.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
apprehend
pick up
How to use nab
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
nab a bargain
nab a suspect
nab the last seat
Informal; common in everyday speech and news headlines rather than formal writing.
Etymology
From dialectal English nap, "to seize or grab," likely from an old Scandinavian word meaning to pluck or pinch.
Full origin of nab →Frequently asked questions
What does “nab” mean?
The word “nab” means to catch or arrest someone, especially a criminal. In plain terms, to quickly grab hold of something or someone — a person, an item, or an opportunity.
How do you pronounce “nab”?
“Nab” is pronounced nab (/næb/ in IPA).
How do you use “nab” in a sentence?
Here is “nab” used in a sentence: “Police nabbed the shoplifter before he reached the exit.”
What part of speech is “nab”?
“Nab” is a verb.
How many meanings does “nab” have?
“Nab” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to catch or arrest someone, especially a criminal.
