Grab (Verb)
Meaning 1
Obtain illegally or unscrupulously; "Grab power".
Classification
Verbs of buying, selling, owning.
Examples
- The corrupt politician didn't hesitate to grab control of the government and silence his opponents.
- Their company was accused of trying to grab a monopoly of the tech industry through underhanded tactics.
- She managed to grab a bigger share of the market by secretly underpricing her competitors.
- In an overnight coup, the military officers grabbed power and ousted the democratically elected president.
- A wealthy businessman had grabbed all the oil-rich lands, forcing local communities out of their ancestral homes.
Meaning 2
Make a grasping or snatching motion with the hand; "The passenger grabbed for the oxygen mask".
Classification
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming.
Examples
- She quickly grabbed the baby's hand as they approached the busy street.
- He grabbed for the rope swing but missed it by a few inches.
- As the dog ran by, she grabbed its leash to prevent it from escaping.
- The hikers grabbed onto rocks to steady themselves on the steep mountain trail.
- In her sleep, the woman grabbed for her deceased husband's pillow.
Related Words
Meaning 3
Capture the attention or imagination of; "This story will grab you"; "The movie seized my imagination".
Classification
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting.
Examples
- Her charismatic stage presence was bound to grab the audience from the start of the concert.
- This thrilling novel will grab you and keep you hooked until the very end.
- The vivid description of the fantasy world will grab your imagination and transport you to another time.
- The inspiring speech was delivered with such conviction that it would grab anyone's attention.
- The beautiful melody will grab your heart and stay with you forever.
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Meaning 4
Take hold of so as to seize or restrain or stop the motion of; "Catch the ball!"; "Grab the elevator door!".
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- She quickly grabbed the toddler to prevent him from running into the street.
- You need to grab the rope or you'll fall off the cliff.
- Can you grab the phone and answer it, I'm in the shower.
- Grab the opportunities that life offers you, and never give up on your dreams.
- The security guard grabbed the thief's arm and stopped him from escaping.
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Meaning 5
Get hold of or seize quickly and easily; "I snapped up all the good buys during the garage sale".
Classification
Verbs of buying, selling, owning.
Examples
- She grabbed a handful of snacks from the counter on her way out the door.
- He managed to grab the last ticket to the sold-out concert.
- The investors grabbed at the chance to invest in the promising startup.
- The store is offering an amazing deal on TVs, but you have to grab it before the sale ends.
- She will grab a coffee on her way to meet her friends at the park.
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Meaning 6
Take or grasp suddenly; "She grabbed the child's hand and ran out of the room".
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- He quickly grabbed his phone and took a photo of the rare bird.
- She grabbed her coat and rushed out the door to catch the bus.
- The toddler grabbed a handful of chocolate cake and took a big bite.
- As the mugger approached, she grabbed her purse tightly to her chest.
- He grabbed the seatbelt and held on tight during the bumpy flight.