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

Relevance
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dab

3 of 3

verb

1
as in to smear

Related Words

Dissimilar Words
2
as in to pat

Related Words

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
The 1860s estate sits smack dab between our hometown of Nyack and the equally quaint village of Piermont. — Melissa Petro, Travel + Leisure, 22 July 2026 Our own local star, literally the brightest object in the sky in most wavelengths, was smack dab where her source was. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 26 June 2026
Verb
Simply dab or spray the perfume lightly onto your arm and wait for the alcohol to evaporate since fragrances can take some time to develop on your warm skin. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 16 June 2026 Let the scent soak into your skin instead, or lightly dab your wrists together or dab your wrists to other pulse points. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 10 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
  • The true pioneers are jonesing for a jab of the stuff, and a raft of entrepreneurs are jostling to become the go-to providers of this bleeding-edge therapy.
    — Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 9 Aug. 2026
  • What people may not know is that this is not the world's first mRNA flu jab; in April, Moderna was given the green light in Europe for its combined COVID-19 and influenza vaccine, mCombriax.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of jab
Noun
  • The majority of this year's hottest ZIP codes are located on the East Coast, with a sprinkling in the upper Midwest.
    — Greta Cross, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Think of it like a recipe, maybe adding flowers to a frosted cake or sprinkling powdered sugar atop a sponge cake; Stewart's rose gold hair injects a sprinkle of the same whimsy into the last few weeks of summertime.
    — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of sprinkling
Noun
  • After the leap and slap, Yan stood straight up with his feet together and lifted both arms over his head.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The hot slap of her rebellion was heightened by the gulf in the social positions of the two men from whom her bloodline sprang.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of slap
Noun
  • China has a tradition of paternalistic government regulations meant to pre-empt potential problems, said Yolanda Ma, an expert on AI governance.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • But experts agree that as long as the change is safe and age-appropriate, experimenting with personal style can be a healthy part of identity development.
    — Liz Regalia, Parents, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of expert
Verb
  • The atmosphere works on them a little bit harder and reduces their strength and smears them a little bit more.
    — Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Camille can still picture Burke standing over her, fake blood smeared across her dress.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of smear
Verb
  • Drake also used the opening portion of the stream to reflect on his recent releases, patting himself on the back a little for dropping three projects at once.
    — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2026
  • All of this isn’t just Hollywood patting itself on the back, by the way, a self-congratulation that doesn’t make a peep outside the echo chamber/Peacock Theater.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of pat
Noun
  • The legality of the punch is what's in dispute, Crump argues.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The pair quickly started shoving each other, both of them getting in a couple punches, before security stopped the fight and separated the prisoners.
    — Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of punch
Noun
  • Fill a glass most of the way with sparkling water, add a splash of blueberry juice and serve over ice.
    — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Toss well, adding noodle water one splash at a time, until the sauce is creamy and everything is coated evenly.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of splash

Phrases Containing dab

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czars
dab
dabbed
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Cite this Entry

“Dab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dab. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on dab

Nglish: Translation of dab for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dab

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