grab

[ grab ]

/ græb /

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See synonyms for: grab / grabbed / grabbing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), grabbed, grab·bing.

to seize suddenly or quickly; snatch; clutch: He grabbed me by the collar.

to take illegal possession of; seize forcibly or unscrupulously: to grab land.

to obtain and consume quickly: Let's grab a sandwich before going to the movie.

Slang.

to cause a reaction in; affect: How does my idea grab you?
to arouse the interest or excitement of: The book was O.K., but it just didn't grab me.

verb (used without object), grabbed, grab·bing.

to make a grasping or clutching motion (usually followed by at): He grabbed frantically at the life preserver.

(of brakes, a clutch, etc.) to take hold suddenly or with a jolting motion; catch.

noun

a sudden, quick grasp or snatch: to make a grab at something.

seizure or acquisition by violent or unscrupulous means.

something that is grabbed.

a mechanical device for gripping objects.

the capacity to hold or adhere: The glue was so old it had lost its grab.

OTHER WORDS FOR grab

1 grasp, grip, catch.

See synonyms for grab on Thesaurus.com

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Hold your head up high as you embark on this quiz that explores some of the synonyms and meanings of “pride.”

Question 1 of 7

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showing self-respect

treating others with kindness

acting selfishly

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Idioms about grab

up for grabs, Informal. available to anyone willing to expend the energy to get it: The Republican nomination for mayor was up for grabs.

Origin of grab

First recorded in 1580–90; cognate with Middle Dutch, Middle Low German grabben, Swedish grabba

OTHER WORDS FROM grab

grab·ba·ble, adjectiveun·grab·bing, adjective

Other definitions for grab (2 of 2)

grab²

[ grab ]

/ græb /

noun

a ship having two or three masts with a square rig, common on the Malabar Coast in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Origin of grab

First recorded in 1670–80; from Arabic ghurāb literally, “raven”

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use grab in a sentence

At this point, the female rapper comes across as fairly sympathetic—that is, until Azealia Banks grabs the mic.
Solange Smacks Jay Z, Legolas Slaps Bieber, and the Biggest Celebrity Feuds of the Year|Amy Zimmerman|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
With both branches of Congress now under Republican control, we should act to halt those power grabs, too.
Obama’s ISIS War Is Illegal|Sen. Rand Paul|November 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Growing rapidly as a community and up for grabs, Asian Americans are deciding elections around the country.
Asian Americans Are The Country’s Fastest Growing Swing Vote|Tim Mak|November 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At that age you can fashion yourself: everything is up for grabs.
Sarah Waters: Queen of the Tortured Lesbian Romance|Tim Teeman|September 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Now, when you Google “Brian Lederman” the first result describes him as someone who “grabs a lot of asses.”
Online Shaming Gives Creeps the Spotlight They Deserve|Samantha Allen|September 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She was waving a twig of lavender, and little Martha was making grabs at it, and laughing her gurgling laugh of babyish glee.
The Daughters of Danaus|Mona Caird
So when she grabs holt of me and asts me agin what did I mean I blubbered harder, jest the way a kid will, and says nothing else.
Danny's Own Story|Don Marquis
When you quitted the door level for the third ascent you would cease to worry about impossible grabs.
The Pillar of Light|Louis Tracy
But he ain't home daytimes, to count what eggs is laid, an' so I watches out an' grabs one a day.
Mary Louise in the Country|L. Frank Baum (AKA Edith Van Dyne)
Then he busts out an' grabs me by the throat an' near choked the life out or me.
Mary Louise in the Country|L. Frank Baum (AKA Edith Van Dyne)

British Dictionary definitions for grab

grab

/ (ɡræb) /

verb grabs, grabbing or grabbed

to seize hold of (something)

(tr) to seize illegally or unscrupulously

(tr) to arrest; catch

(intr) (of a brake or clutch in a vehicle) to grip and release intermittently causing juddering

(tr) informal to catch the attention or interest of; impress

noun

the act or an instance of grabbing

a mechanical device for gripping objects, esp the hinged jaws of a mechanical excavator

something that is grabbed

up for grabs informal available to be bought, claimed, or won

Derived forms of grab

grabber, noun

Word Origin for grab

C16: probably from Middle Low German or Middle Dutch grabben; related to Swedish grabba, Sanskrit grbhnāti he seizes

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with grab

grab

In addition to the idiom beginning with grab

grab bag

also see:

how does that grab you
up for grabs

grab

OTHER WORDS FOR grab

Idioms about grab

Origin of grab

OTHER WORDS FROM grab

Other definitions for grab (2 of 2)

Origin of grab

Words related to grab

How to use grab in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for grab

Derived forms of grab

Word Origin for grab

Other Idioms and Phrases with grab