stabverb
uk/stæb/us/stæb/-bb-B2 [ T ] to injure someone with a sharp pointed object such as a knife:
She was stabbed several times in the chest.
He was jailed for 15 years for stabbing his wife to death.
[ I or T ] to make a short, forceful pushing movement with a finger or a long, thin object:
As she spoke she stabbed the air with her finger.
He stabbed at the meat with his fork.
More examples
- He pulled a knife and stabbed her.
- Mercutio, fatally stabbed, staggers round the stage in his death throes.
- In a fit of insane jealousy he tried to stab her.
- She was stabbed twelve times and left for dead.
- He'd been stabbed several times and his throat cut.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Cutting and stabbing
- abrasion
- bayonet
- carve
- carving
- chisel
- cut sth down
- laceration
- lance
- mow
- nick
- notch
- saw sth down
- scratch
- slash
- slice
- spike
- transfix
- trim
- whittle
- woodcarving
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Pushing and shoving
Idiom(s)
stab sb in the back
stabnoun [ C ]
uk/stæb/us/stæb/the act of pushing a knife into someone, or an injury caused by stabbing:
He was admitted to hospital with stab wounds.
a sudden feeling, especially an unpleasant one such as pain:
She felt a stab of envy when she saw all the expensive presents Zoe had been given for Christmas.
an action or remark that attacks someone's reputation:
Her criticism of the company's plans was a stab at the chairman himself.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Physical & sexual assault & abduction
- abduct
- abduction
- aggravated assault
- assault
- beating
- go at sb
- go for sb
- grievous bodily harm
- grooming
- happy slapping
- indecent assault
- lay
- mug
- rape
- round on sb/sth
- set about sb
- set on/upon sb
- set sb/sth on sb
- sexual abuse
- violate
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Cutting and stabbing
Pain & painful
Feelings - general words
Damaging reputation
Idiom(s)
have/make a stab at sth