Want to grab a drink on the way home?
Source: tatoeba (22411)
Grab
/ɡɹæb/
Synonyms for "grab" (207 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (42)
Strong matches (62)
Related words (103)
Noun(29 words)
kidnapkidnappinglacinglay hands onlay hold ofliftmake an impressionmeshmesmerizemonopolizenabnabbingnailobsessoccupyoccupy the attentionpalmpartakepick uppicking up
Show 43 more words
pilferpinchpluckpocketpossesspower grabprehensionpreoccupyput under arrestreceiverip offrip-offrobberyrun inrunning inseizeseizureseizure of powershanghaisink insnagsnatchsnatch atsnatchingspellbindspoilstealstrikesurprisetaketake intake into custodytake overtake possessiontake prisonertake uptaking intaking into custodytheftthrottletoolusurpyank
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: snatch, catch, clutch, grasp, seize.
- Sentence evidence is available for grab, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wiktionary, wordnet, opengloss, moby, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "grab".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "grab"
Keep "grab" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "grab" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "grab", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "grab" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
25 entriesShowing 16 of 25 words.
More specific
14 entriesCollocations
11 entriesattention grabbingframe grabgrab a bitegrab and gograb attentiongrab baggrab bargrab handlegrab samplegrab-and-gograbby headline
Inflections
5 entriesDerivations
8 entriessimilar
1 entriesTranslations
12 translations across 10 languages.
Albanian
1 entries- kapëse noun (a mechanical device that grabs)
Bulgarian
1 entries- екскаватор noun (a mechanical device that grabs)
Catalan
1 entries- agafador noun (a mechanical device that grabs)
Finnish
1 entries- koura noun (a mechanical device that grabs)
German
1 entries- Greifer noun (a mechanical device that grabs)
Hungarian
1 entries- markológép noun (a mechanical device that grabs)
Italian
3 entries- benna noun (a mechanical device that grabs)
- calamita noun (a mechanical device that grabs)
- ruspa noun (a mechanical device that grabs)
Polish
1 entries- chwytak noun (a mechanical device that grabs)
Portuguese
1 entries- agarrador noun (a mechanical device that grabs)
Russian
1 entries- захва́т noun (a mechanical device that grabs)
Sample sentences
29 total sentences available.
The man made to grab at me.
Source: tatoeba (45309)
You should grab your bag and hurry home.
Source: tatoeba (66985)
Grab the bottom.
Source: tatoeba (278464)
Showing 4 of 29 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "grab"?
Closest matches include snatch, catch, clutch, grasp, seize.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "grab"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.