grabbing
Clutching something quickly
Grabbing is the act of seizing something quickly or forcefully.
The word often implies urgency or roughness: He was grabbing at my sleeve.
Grabbing can be figurative—something grabs your attention or grabs you emotionally.
That opening scene is really grabbing.
Secure manual hold
- clutchMechanism linking engine to gearbox
- seizeTake suddenly, forcibly
- snatchRapid forceful taking
- holdMaintain in grasp
clasp · clench · grasping · prehension · grapple · squeeze · handhold · embrace
Seizing quickly, abruptly
- pushyUnpleasantly forceful in manner
- intrusiveInvading others' privacy
- presumptuousOverstepping appropriate boundaries
- aggressiveHostile and confrontational
overbearing · inconsiderate · brusque · abrupt · impolite · tactless · handsy · groping
Nervous anticipation of trouble
- seizureForcible taking or convulsion
- arrestSeize by law
- detainmentEnforced holding of someone
- custodyProtective care or control
abduction · kidnapping · ambush · snaring · netting · trapping · ensnarement · collar
Seizing quickly, abruptly
- pickpocketingTheft from pockets
- pilferingMinor, sneaky theft
- shopliftingStealing store merchandise
- muggingRobbery with violence
stealing · looting · plundering · heist · robbery · larceny · thievery · kleptomania
Powerfully engaging or persuasive
- arrestingStrikingly attention-grabbing
- captivatingDeeply holding one's attention
- eye-catchingImmediately noticeable, visually
- rivetingCompletely holding one's attention
engaging · striking · gripping · enthralling · click-bait · sensational · spotlight · showstopping
grip
Secure manual hold
hold · clasp · clench · grasping · prehension · grapple · squeeze · handhold · embrace · hug
snatching
Seizing quickly, abruptly
- pushyUnpleasantly forceful in manner
- intrusiveInvading others' privacy
- presumptuousOverstepping appropriate boundaries
aggressive · overbearing · inconsiderate · brusque · abrupt · impolite · tactless · handsy · groping · pawing
apprehension
Nervous anticipation of trouble
- seizureForcible taking or convulsion
- arrestSeize by law
- detainmentEnforced holding of someone
custody · abduction · kidnapping · ambush · snaring · netting · trapping · ensnarement · collar · detaining
snatching
Seizing quickly, abruptly
- pickpocketingTheft from pockets
- pilferingMinor, sneaky theft
- shopliftingStealing store merchandise
mugging · stealing · looting · plundering · heist · robbery · larceny · thievery · kleptomania · filching
compelling
Powerfully engaging or persuasive
- arrestingStrikingly attention-grabbing
- captivatingDeeply holding one's attention
- eye-catchingImmediately noticeable, visually
riveting · engaging · striking · gripping · enthralling · click-bait · sensational · spotlight · showstopping · mesmerizing
- gerundswalking, running, talking, eating, sleeping
- acquiringobtaining, getting, seizing, taking, catching
- hand actionsgrasping, gripping, holding, pinching, pulling
- toddler behaviorstantrums, thumb sucking, crying, clinging, saying no
- eager actionsrushing, lunging, leaping, pouncing, snatching
- reaching actionsstretching, grasping, extending, lunging, straining
grabbingreleasing
Allowing to escape
letting go · dropping · relinquishing · surrendering · freeing
grabbingboring
Failing to engage interest
dull · unengaging · uninteresting · tedious · uninspiring
- grabbing some ZsSlumbering briefly
- grabbing hold
- attention grabbingCompelling notice or focus
- grabbing atAttempting to seize
- headline grabbingAttracting media coverage
- land grabbingForcible acquisition of territory