grab
1 of 3verb
ˈgrab 
grabbed; grabbing
transitive verb
1
: to take or seize by or as if by a sudden motion or grasp
grab up an ax
grabbed the opportunity
grab attention
2
: to take hastily
grab a bite to eat
grab a cab
3
a
: to seize the attention of
the technique of grabbing an audience—
Pauline Kael
Pauline Kael b
: to impress favorably and deeply
4
: to obtain without consideration of what is right or wrong
grab public lands
intransitive verb
: to make a sudden snatch
grabber noun
grab
2 of 3noun
1
a
: a sudden snatch
b
: an unlawful or unethical seizure
a grab for power
c
: something taken, seized, or grasped suddenly
2
chiefly British
a
: a device for clutching an object
b
: clamshell sense 2a
grab
3 of 3adjective
1
: intended to be taken, seized, or grasped suddenly
a grab rail
2
: taken at random
grab samples of rocks
Synonyms
Verb
- bag
- capture
- catch
- collar
- cop [slang]
- corral
- get
- glom
- grapple
- hook
- land
- nab
- nail
- net
- nobble [British slang]
- rap
- seize
- snag
- snap (up)
- snare
- snatch
- trap
Noun
- heist
- pinch
- rip-off
- snatching
- swiping
- theft
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb I have to go back in the house and grab my car keys. The little boy grabbed onto his mother's leg and wouldn't let go. I'll grab a taxi and meet you there. Let's grab a bite to eat before the movie starts. The store had a lot of nice stuff, but nothing really grabbed me. The play grabs the audience from the opening scene. One player in particular has been grabbing a lot of attention lately. Noun a political activist who thinks the government's lease of public lands to logging companies amounts to an illegal land grab See More
Recent Examples on the WebAlyssa Grabinski, Peoplemag, 15 Feb. 2023 Also, the high armrests are good to grab for support in getting out of the seat. —Rachel Klein, Popular Mechanics, 15 Feb. 2023 For a bit of a twist on the typical around-the-waist belt bag, grab this crossbody version made of faux leather in chic white with gold hardware. —Kristine Solomon, Travel + Leisure, 14 Feb. 2023 Forget to grab a Valentine’s card for your political junkie partner? —Aadit Tambe, Washington Post, 11 Feb. 2023 For a taste of classic Cantonese American food, grab a booth at Hop Woo. —Kyle Beechey, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Feb. 2023 But for something mostly unsherried with a bit of smoke (my above whisky recommendations), grab Carpano Antica. —Jason O'bryan, Robb Report, 4 Feb. 2023 Cut the chocolate revel bars in slices and grab for an on-the-go snack. —Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Feb. 2023 Then, for an easy dinnertime side, grab a steamer basket. —Sarah Garone, Health, 23 Jan. 2023 Justin Jouvenal, Washington Post, 17 Feb. 2023 No touchdown grab could possibly capture more attention than his look as Smith, a sixth-year veteran out of the University of Southern California, sashayed into State Farm Stadium. —Rob Wile, NBC News, 13 Feb. 2023 Only Tyree somehow found a way to make the 32-yard circus grab, pinning the ball against his helmet with Harrison draped all over him, doing his best to punch it out. —Karen Guregian, Hartford Courant, 12 Feb. 2023 Meanwhile, Disney used low pricing — starting at a bargain of $6.99 in 2019 — and promotional offers in a grab for subscribers, which also hampered profitability. —Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2023 That knee-grab at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards and at a Toronto Raptors vs. Brooklyn Nets Game expresses how Jay-Z doesn't want to be separated from his wife, says Greer. —Naydeline Mejia, Women's Health, 30 Jan. 2023 In the Big Air World Cup event in Kreischberg, Austria, on January 14, Sadowski-Synnott became the first woman to land a switch backside 1260 Weddle grab. —Michelle Bruton, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2023 Besides looking attractive on your vanity, Tumi's Response Travel Kit will keep your items organized and your mind at ease because of its two elastic sleeves, multiple pockets, antimicrobial material, and convenient side grab handles. —Madison San Miguel, Travel + Leisure, 25 Jan. 2023 Tyler Boyd has a 23-yard grab and Tee Higgins has two catches for 17 yards. —cleveland, 22 Jan. 2023 See More
Verb
So grab a pair of The Skinny Confidential's gloves for protection and keep scrolling for more of its popular products. —Alyssa Grabinski, Peoplemag, 15 Feb. 2023 Also, the high armrests are good to grab for support in getting out of the seat. —Rachel Klein, Popular Mechanics, 15 Feb. 2023 For a bit of a twist on the typical around-the-waist belt bag, grab this crossbody version made of faux leather in chic white with gold hardware. —Kristine Solomon, Travel + Leisure, 14 Feb. 2023 Forget to grab a Valentine’s card for your political junkie partner? —Aadit Tambe, Washington Post, 11 Feb. 2023 For a taste of classic Cantonese American food, grab a booth at Hop Woo. —Kyle Beechey, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Feb. 2023 But for something mostly unsherried with a bit of smoke (my above whisky recommendations), grab Carpano Antica. —Jason O'bryan, Robb Report, 4 Feb. 2023 Cut the chocolate revel bars in slices and grab for an on-the-go snack. —Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Feb. 2023 Then, for an easy dinnertime side, grab a steamer basket. —Sarah Garone, Health, 23 Jan. 2023 Noun
The issues included a broken dehumidifier, leaking pipes, a loose grab rail, improper record keeping and low water temperatures in sinks and showers, according to a copy of the inspection report. —Justin Jouvenal, Washington Post, 17 Feb. 2023 No touchdown grab could possibly capture more attention than his look as Smith, a sixth-year veteran out of the University of Southern California, sashayed into State Farm Stadium. —Rob Wile, NBC News, 13 Feb. 2023 Only Tyree somehow found a way to make the 32-yard circus grab, pinning the ball against his helmet with Harrison draped all over him, doing his best to punch it out. —Karen Guregian, Hartford Courant, 12 Feb. 2023 Meanwhile, Disney used low pricing — starting at a bargain of $6.99 in 2019 — and promotional offers in a grab for subscribers, which also hampered profitability. —Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2023 That knee-grab at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards and at a Toronto Raptors vs. Brooklyn Nets Game expresses how Jay-Z doesn't want to be separated from his wife, says Greer. —Naydeline Mejia, Women's Health, 30 Jan. 2023 In the Big Air World Cup event in Kreischberg, Austria, on January 14, Sadowski-Synnott became the first woman to land a switch backside 1260 Weddle grab. —Michelle Bruton, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2023 Besides looking attractive on your vanity, Tumi's Response Travel Kit will keep your items organized and your mind at ease because of its two elastic sleeves, multiple pockets, antimicrobial material, and convenient side grab handles. —Madison San Miguel, Travel + Leisure, 25 Jan. 2023 Tyler Boyd has a 23-yard grab and Tee Higgins has two catches for 17 yards. —cleveland, 22 Jan. 2023 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb, Noun, and Adjective
obsolete Dutch or Low German grabben
First Known Use
Verb
circa 1581, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun
1777, in the meaning defined at sense 1c
Adjective
1608, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing grab
Kids Definition
grab
1 of 2 verb ˈgrab
grabbed; grabbing
: to take hastily : clutch, snatch
grabber noun
grab
2 of 2 noun1
a
: a sudden snatch
b
: an unlawful or forceful taking of something
a land grab
c
: something grabbed
2
: a device for clutching an object
grab 1 of 2
verb
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
Relevance
- snatch
- seize
- catch
- get
- capture
- land
- snag
- nab
- hook
- trap
- corral
- bag
- snare
- hold
- net
- collar
- grapple
- grasp
- nail
- rap
- cop
- clutch
- glom
- arrest
- take hold (of)
- grip
- nobble
- kidnap
- secure
- rope
- snap (up)
- detain
- apprehend
- corner
- glove
- lasso
- halter
- clasp
- fist
- abduct
- bay
- rend
- wrest
- ensnare
- entrap
- mesh
- entangle
- enmesh
- fasten (on)
- latch (on or onto)
- immesh
- spirit (away or off)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- miss
- release
- drop
- free
- liberate
- discharge
- loosen
- unhand
grab
2 of 2noun
as in snatching
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
- snatching
- theft
- swiping
- heist
- pinch
- rip-off
- mugging
- holdup
- burglary
- stickup
- break-in
Synonym Chooser
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
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 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
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
Snatch suggests more suddenness or quickness but less force than seize.
snatched a doughnut and ran
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