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 responding officers located a man with at least one stab wound. — Haley Parsley, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026 Waterbury police have made an arrest after a 35-year-old man died from stab wounds Friday night, officials said. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 3 Oct. 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
  • The sound of jackhammering in the Horsches’ backyard pierced the otherwise quiet street Wednesday afternoon.
    — Danny Freeman, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of pierce
Noun
  • Lemmo Lemmo's gone with a 960-Wh semi-solid state battery, which reportedly allows for up to 110 miles (180 km) of range and won't go up in flames from punctures or thermal runaway incidents.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The 10-month-old boy had a deep puncture wound in his upper chest area, while the 3-year-old girl had an inner organ protruding out of a chest-area wound.
    — Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of puncture
Noun
  • Days before the execution attempt, Lee rejected the clemency request.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Distributed by Hive Media Corp, the drama reconstructs the August 15, 1974 assassination attempt on President Park Chung-hee and stars Yu Hae-jin, Park Hae-il, and Lee Min-ho as figures probing contradictions in the state’s official inquiry.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of attempt
Verb
  • Then, inside the death house, executioners struggled to find a vein, jabbing Pike with at least seven needles, according to her lawyers, one of whom watched in dismay.
    — Keri Blakinger, ProPublica, 6 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of jab
Noun
  • After landing several punches and kicks and taking his opponent to the ground multiple times, LaPenna eventually became fatigued and called for the match to be ended.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The Dodgers will need more punch from their lineup to have a chance at getting back to the Fall Classic.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of punch
Noun
  • Although other states have moved forward with attempting to execute inmates a second time, in those cases, the first try had been halted before any drug actually began flowing.
    — Kate Brumback, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The Eagles failed to convert a single third down on 12 tries and have been outscored 31-0 in the second half of their last two games, both losses.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of try
Verb
  • The market has picked 12 fiction and documentary features, all in late-stage development, for its Tasveer Market Selects strand.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Also for those with kitchens, there is a Whole Foods and Safeway close by to pick-up groceries.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of pick
Verb
  • So imagine my surprise when the one innovation to stick — literally — turns out to be one marketed for men.
    — Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • In a cozy suburb of Minneapolis, a guy in a blue jumpsuit is once again stuck aboard a space station with his robot pals, watching the worst movies ever made.
    — Joe Otterson, Variety, 9 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 14 Oct. 2026.

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