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
show current usage.
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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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Avoid insecticides, greasy oils, or petroleum jelly smeared near the feeder that can coat hummingbird feathers.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
18 May 2025
-
Though the moment is smeared in dramatic score, a dull clanging pierces through; the EMTs can’t get the gurney wheels to glide out of the doorway.—
Madison Bloom,
Pitchfork,
16 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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That was what Patricio Wise was also trying to tap into as one of seven competitors in the burger battle and fundraiser organized by the American River Parkway Foundation.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
18 May 2025
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His primary instruction for those trying to tap into their psychic power is to concentrate.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2025
Verb
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More people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the U.S. than all other cancers combined, making slathering on SPF essential to your health.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
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Active Time: 20 mins Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins Servings: 8 Think a pimiento cheese meatloaf is just the Southern spread slathered on a typical meatloaf?—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
18 May 2025
Verb
-
McConkey tipped the ball up to himself with one hand and made the catch.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
-
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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Even so, between 75 and 100 fans still pack two floors of the Playwright Irish Pub in midtown Manhattan, where the walls of one room are plastered with Madrid memorabilia.—
Tomás Hill López-Menchero,
New York Times,
14 May 2025
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There were reminders plastered everywhere to stay 6 feet apart.—
Mary Frances Ruskell,
CNN Money,
2 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 2 Jun. 2025.
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