grab

Take hold quickly

Grab means to take hold of something quickly or forcefully: He grabbed her arm.

It suggests urgency or lack of ceremony—you grab a snack, not a formal dinner.

To grab attention is to seize it suddenly.

Something up for grabs is available to anyone who wants it.

As a noun, a grab is a quick snatch: She made a grab for the phone.

grasp

clutch

Mechanism linking engine to gearbox

gripSecure manual hold
seizeTake suddenly, forcibly
snatchRapid forceful taking

clasp · clench · hold · latch · cling · scoop · yank · pluck · tug · wrest

steal

snatch

Rapid forceful taking

swipeQuick sliding motion
pilferSneak off with trifles
filchPetty theft

lift · pinch · pocket · purloin · nab · heist · shoplift · plunder · abduct · kidnap

arrest

apprehend

Seize or understand

detainHold in custody
collarNeck encirclement
nabSeize or apprehend

bust · pinch · haul · capture · seize · catch · secure · net · trap · corral

appeal

attract

Draw toward oneself

engageActively participate or connect
hookCurved catching device
captivateHold attention irresistibly

entice · intrigue · compel · catch · draw · attention · interest · allure · tempt · arrest

bag

clutch

Mechanism linking engine to gearbox

pouchSmall flexible bag
purseBag for personal items
handbagPortable container for belongings

tote · satchel · carryall · duffel · holdall · accessory · zipper · strap · handle

photography

capture

Take into custody

snapshotInformal photograph taken quickly
shotQuick liquor serving
frameSupporting outer structure

candid · still · freeze · shutter · action · moment · pan · zoom · focus · angle

Categories

touchtouch, feel, touching, caress, feeling
verbsjump, be, speak, wait, do
action verbsrun, jump, chase, climb, push
actionsrun, walk, jump, move, push
game actionsjump, select, run, tap, walk
aggressionhostility, violence, attack, fight, combativeness

Opposites

physical action/grip

To let go

let go · drop · relinquish · unhand · free

manner of taking

Accept something offered

accept · caress · cradle · handle with care · ease

possession transfer

grabgive

To transfer possession

offer · hand over · surrender · bestow · present

Phrases

up for grabsOpen for claiming
grab a biteEat something casually
grab bagAssorted collection, unexamined
grab holdSecure with your hand
grabbed a bite
power grabAttempt to seize control

Family

grabbed, grabbing, grasping, grabs, grabber, grabbers, grabbable, grabbier, grabbiness

Familiarity: Top 2,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G