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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
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 20 Jan. 2025
Roast off some leeks, and onions, and carrots, and a little dab of tomato paste.
—Bon Appétit, 22 Jan. 2025
Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 4 Mar. 2025
She's also developed a reputation for her unique sauces for dabbing, dipping and dunking.
—Mike Deehan, Axios, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dab
Noun
If the stain remains on the fabric coat, spot clean with a stain remover or by using a dab of laundry detergent on a damp cloth.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 20 Jan. 2025
Roast off some leeks, and onions, and carrots, and a little dab of tomato paste.
—Bon Appétit, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
And since lavender is known to help with relaxation and has antimicrobial properties, consider dabbing on a few drops of essential oil, too.
—Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 4 Mar. 2025
She's also developed a reputation for her unique sauces for dabbing, dipping and dunking.
—Mike Deehan, Axios, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dab
Verb
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By that point the sweatshirt was smeared with their many flavors on offer: chocolate, pistachio and Biscoff.—
Kiana Hayeri,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
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Assailants have stalked them in public and smeared them online.—
Cora Engelbrecht,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Remove 2 cups of the shrimp mixture from bag; drain and pat dry.—
Liz Mervosh,
Southern Living,
26 Mar. 2025
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But that’s too pat a way of describing something so slippery and alive.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 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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Last February, the actress was tapped by Moroccanoil to front the brand’s first fragrance campaign.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
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Chuck Lorre has been tapped to give a keynote speech at the upcoming Banff World Media Festival.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This nightly routine of slathering on aromatic oils and kneading away tension and worries, prepares the mind and body for a restful sleep.—
Bianca Salonga,
Forbes.com,
1 Apr. 2025
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While slathering on rich creams seems like an obvious solution during this time of year, the idea of shelling out big bucks for the most popular hydrators on the market stops us in our tracks.—
Jennifer Chan,
People.com,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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But Outback’s mistakes and competitors’ innovative strategies have tipped the power order in the restaurant steak wars.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2025
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Sergio Pérez is tipped to make a Formula One return with Cadillac in 2026 when the sport enters a new era of regulations.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Pennoyer added gentle vaults to the sides of the entry gallery’s plastered ceiling, which Cathey then had lacquered, commissioning églomisé artist Miriam Ellner to decorate the glass panels of the central lantern.—
Andrew Sessa,
Architectural Digest,
2 Apr. 2025
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Inside a former cotton grading warehouse, where the walls are plastered with old concert posters and heavily graffitied with Sharpie signatures, the audience is buzzing with anticipation for the night’s show.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
29 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The footage then cuts to the other guests of the show still hugging, clapping, and chatting on stage.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2025
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In 2001, at the age of 12, they were appalled that their classmates clapped at the Sept. 11 terrorism attacks.—
Li Yuan,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dab. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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