grab 1 of 2

verb

ˈgrab How to pronounce grab (audio)
Definition of grabnext
as in to snatch
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly don't grab my arm like that

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

grab

2 of 2

noun

as in theft
an instance of theft a political activist who thinks the government's lease of public lands to logging companies amounts to an illegal land grab

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word grab different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of grab are clutch, grasp, seize, snatch, and take. While all these words mean "to get hold of by or as if by catching up with the hand," grab implies more roughness or rudeness than snatch.

grabbed roughly by the arm

When can clutch be used instead of grab?

Although the words clutch and grab have much in common, clutch suggests avidity or anxiety in seizing or grasping and may imply less success in holding.

clutching her purse

In what contexts can grasp take the place of grab?

In some situations, the words grasp and grab are roughly equivalent. However, grasp stresses a laying hold so as to have firmly in possession.

grasp the handle and pull

Where would seize be a reasonable alternative to grab?

The words seize and grab can be used in similar contexts, but seize implies a sudden and forcible movement in getting hold of something tangible or an apprehending of something fleeting or elusive when intangible.

seized the suspect

How do snatch and seize relate to one another, in the sense of grab?

Snatch suggests more suddenness or quickness but less force than seize.

snatched a doughnut and ran

When could take be used to replace grab?

The words take and grab are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, take is a general term applicable to any manner of getting something into one's possession or control.

take some salad from the bowl

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 grab
Verb
After his rep against defensive end Odafe Oweh, Tunsil grabbed his left arm and crouched in obvious pain. — Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026 Jones logged 15 points and eight rebounds while Rebecca Allen poured 13 and grabbed eight boards. — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 9 Aug. 2026
Noun
The Paramount+ streaming event finds two UFC belts up for grabs at the top of the card. — Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026 For the first time, all 21 seats on the Board of Education are up for grabs. — Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grab
  1. snatch
  2. theft
  3. seize
  4. snatching
  5. catch
  6. get
  7. capture
  8. land
Verb
  • The toddler son of national hero Charles Lindbergh was snatched from his bed in his parents’ home in the middle of the night.
    — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Questions about his age and passing ability may have led teams to skip King during the draft in April, but the Panthers snatched him up in free agency immediately afterward.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of snatch
Noun
  • The Grass Valley City Council first approved the use of ALPRs with a 5-0 vote in 2021, believing in its ability to address violent crime and retail theft.
    — Lyanne Wang, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Hilliard faces felony charges of theft and embezzlement of public property, as well as a misdemeanor charge of first-degree official misconduct.
    — Matt Moret, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of theft
Verb
  • Messi had a shot saved at the beginning of the second half, but Palacios then sparked a move from one side of the pitch to the other as Nashville restored its lead in the 49th minute and seized control of the game.
    — Dean Jones, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Biggs, 67, has seized on the refusal, repeatedly challenging Hobbs to debate and making her absence itself part of his campaign message.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of seize
Noun
  • An informant would tell them the attack was rooted in a chain-snatching at the Lakewood Mall two months earlier.
    — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Many Londoners have firsthand experience of phone-snatching or have witnessed a surge in shoplifting and subway fare-dodging.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
Definition of snatching
Verb
  • Also, after the first round, each mini-game has a separate metagame, where one or more players have a secret goal to meet without getting caught.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Many fans have been playing the game for years and aren't necessarily into a radical change on such a huge mechanic like catching passes.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of catch
Verb
  • Instead, in their wake, the league veered far in the other direction, taking the finesse out of the game and turning on-court play into a street fight, with officials unable or unwilling to get their arms round the physicality.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The Bears haven’t ruled out the possibility of getting Trapilo at least some reps during training camp this month to test him out and rebuild his confidence in padded practices.
    — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of get
Verb
  • The homeowner, who wished to remain anonymous, said that his home surveillance cameras captured the group of at least four masked men trying to enter through the back of his home.
    — Lauren Pozen, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The movie, which premieres this weekend on YouTube, is a DIY schlock- umentary that’s also a real documentary, one that captures how Six’s life became his own private horror film, after he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of capture
Verb
  • As Emmy voting gets underway, the show landed 11 nominations, including an outstanding host for a reality or reality competition program nod for RuPaul.
    — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Garry is live to land one big shot but that will be tough, and otherwise will need to win multiple rounds with some volume and damage.
    — Brett Appley, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of land

Phrases Containing grab

Browse Nearby Words

gownsmen
grab
grab bag
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Cite this Entry

“Grab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grab. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on grab

Nglish: Translation of grab for Spanish Speakers

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