stab 1 of 2

verb

Definition of stabnext
as in to pierce
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object stabbed the pesky leaf with the tines of the rake

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stab

2 of 2

noun

ˈstab How to pronounce stab (audio)
1
as in puncture
a mark or small hole made by a pointed instrument the injection left a small stab on her upper arm

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in attempt
an effort to do or accomplish something everybody will get a stab at solving the problem

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stab
Verb
When Mercedes fought back, his attackers stabbed and slashed him multiple times. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026 Janet also acts as a decoy, luring several men inside the chapel; once the doors shut behind them, the women drop a heavy, suffocating tapestry over the group and stab them through the fabric. — Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
Noun
The wife, who had several stab wounds, ran to a neighbor’s home. — Eduardo Cuevas, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026 Although a member of the Senate HELP Committee, which has jurisdiction over education and labor, Murphy did not sit on the Commerce or Judiciary committees, which ultimately gets first stab at any college sports reform legislation. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stab
  1. pierce
  2. puncture
  3. attempt
  4. jab
  5. punch
  6. try
  7. pick
  8. stick
Verb
  • Another piece sliced through his salivary gland before bouncing off his jaw and piercing the back of his neck, severing an artery and embedding in a vertebra.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The most impressive is the national park’s namesake, El Teide, a cloud-piercing volcano at around 12,200 feet high—Spain’s tallest peak.
    — Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of pierce
Noun
  • Carruthers groaned in pain and blood oozed from puncture wounds, DeLiberato said in a news briefing.
    — Catherine Sweeney, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Each egg is inserted into a developing fruit through a puncture in its skin.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of puncture
Noun
  • On one attempt, the process server observed four cars in the driveway, but no one answered at the front door, the new filing said.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026
  • However, the abduction goes wrong, and Jeong-yo is shot in his attempt to escape.
    — Kayti Burt, Time, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of attempt
Verb
  • At the tail end of their time on stage, the former castmates took the opportunity to jab at the Buffy revival’s cancellation earlier this year.
    — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Rather than immediately running toward his destination on the opposite side of the field, Jefferson jabs at the defender to create even more separation.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of jab
Noun
  • However, this is a stellar opportunity to dig into excellent, authentic Thai dishes (no punches held on sour or spice), and the Thai Wok Omelet with blue crab and morning glory at breakfast is exceedingly memorable.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The punch-worthy parody of Altman’s characterization ramps up once he’s motivated to push back against — or trample over — the safety guardrails that Ilya prizes above all else, but so does the depth of his world-breaking cynicism.
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of punch
Noun
  • The Nittany Lions didn't register a first down on four of their final five tries.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Florida is 2-4 in Colombia and has won just once in four tries since 2015.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of try
Verb
  • Politically, spiritually, institutionally, financially, environmentally, psychologically — pick your adverb.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The affidavit said the woman also provided police photos of her injuries and said a friend attempted to pick her up from the home on on the day of the incident but was turned away.
    — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of pick
Verb
  • One prospective shopper, Sam, a 38-year-old freelance fashion designer, was drawn in first by the queue, but decided to stick it out.
    — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Overrun with puzzling plot points, several cameos and a bloated supporting cast, the series fails to stick the landing.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of stick

Phrases Containing stab

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squooshy
stab
stabbed
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Cite this Entry

“Stab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stab. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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