1
2
as in sprinkling
a very small amount
she added a dab of sesame oil to the dressing before pouring it on the salad
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in slap
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
a bear can knock a man down with a simple dab of his paw
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in expert
a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field
a dab at finding unappreciated collectibles and reselling them at a considerable profit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of dab
Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2025
Why stop at a dab on your wrist when your whole house can smell like Chanel No. 5?
—Susan Campos, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Mar. 2025
Annie Blackman, Allure, 5 May 2025
Gently dab and wipe away the stain with a clean cloth or sponge.
—Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dab
Noun
That extra dab of guacamole on a burrito is likely to cost more in coming days.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2025
Why stop at a dab on your wrist when your whole house can smell like Chanel No. 5?
—Susan Campos, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Mar. 2025
Verb
This multi-purpose balm is capable of many, many things: mix it with lipstick to turn mattes into moisturizing balms, slick it through unruly brows to tame strays, dab it on red patches for a soothing moisture hit, or condition lashes from root to tip.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 5 May 2025
Gently dab and wipe away the stain with a clean cloth or sponge.
—Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dab
Verb
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Also, faint objects appear even fainter because their light is smeared out.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
15 May 2025
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Smartmatic wants an even bigger payday than Dominion Voting Systems, which was similarly smeared by Fox News and settled a defamation lawsuit with the network in 2023 for a whopping $787 million.—
Marshall Cohen,
CNN Money,
14 May 2025
Verb
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Sprinkle spice mixture on both sides of ribs, gently patting to coat.—
Jasmine Smith,
Southern Living,
23 May 2025
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The show lives in these blue-collar pockets of ‘flyover America,’ but doesn’t make a big deal about it or pat itself on the back.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2025
Verb
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In one group of anoles, the researchers daubed the reptiles’ snouts and heads (avoiding the nostrils) with a thin layer of emollient to prevent air bubbles from adhering to the anoles’ heads.—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN,
17 Sep. 2024
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Their victorious players meander over, gathering in front of a chainlink fence draped with handmade banners daubed in the dark green and deep burgundy of Mohun Bagan, India’s great footballing powerhouse.—
Rory Smith,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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She’s now tapped St. Louis superstar Sexyy Red for the song’s official remix.—
Matthew Strauss,
Pitchfork,
30 May 2025
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Writer, filmmaker and curator Ducharme, who hails from the Métis community of St. Ambroise on Treaty 1 Territory, has tapped into his own experiences for the screenplay.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
30 May 2025
Verb
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The shrimp cocktail is now just a handful of Sea-Monkeys slathered in ketchup and the closest thing to a free meal is the garnish that hitches a ride on the rim of your Solo cup.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
29 May 2025
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Hart asks, after biting into the first wing, which is slathered in Señor Lechuga Lemon Garlic Habanero.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
27 May 2025
Verb
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McConkey tipped the ball up to himself with one hand and made the catch.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
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Clark took the stand days after she was mentioned in the testimony of rapper Kid Cudi who said in a 2011 incident, Clark tipped him off that Combs and an associate were inside his home.—
Janelle Griffith,
People.com,
27 May 2025
Verb
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Pick a place that isn’t plastered all over Instagram in July.—
Jordi Lippe-McGraw,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
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Cason Wallace flying around Jokic and plastering the reigning MVP on a poster.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
18 May 2025
Verb
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The guests move and groove down a backstage hallway surrounded by staff, who sing a custom chant while clapping along.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
19 May 2025
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After the second Panthers goal, head coach Craig Berube moved up and down his bench clapping his hands enthusiastically.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dab. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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