Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
✋ To take quickly ✋ A fast catch 🦹 To seize illegally 👀 To attract strongly 🤖 A gripping device
to grab

to grab

200 4.5
To take power or money in a dishonest, selfish way
  • verb
  • /ɡræb/
translation icon : apoderarse de
  • UN Sheikhai has successfully grabbed power for himself.
  • grab power
  • grab control
  • grab land

I mean Biden just did a massive grab for national.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Other women of color say they are actively fighting to grab hold of what is rightfully theirs.

    Academic text (2006)

  • Some people here grab any chance to share some of the enormous wealth in this country.

    Academic text (2005)

  • We must be careful to avoid a race to grab and hold the lands under the high seas.

    Academic text (2005)

  • You've been trying to grab credit on our discovery.

    Evolution (2001)

  • The dictator quickly grabbed power, eliminating all opposition in the process.

  • The company attempted to grab as much market share as possible during the merger.

  • During the sudden power struggle, he managed to grab control of the government.

Synonyms

to take
vsto grab
∞ 2.8

Cause someone to die or suffer great harm

is specifically about illicit or unscrupulous obtaining
to steal
vsto grab
∞ 1.0

Take something that does not belong to you without permission

is more focused on illicit gains like power, money, or rights
to rob
vsto grab
696 1.2

To take property illegally from other people using force or threats

is similar but often covers nonviolent dishonest obtaining as well
to seize
vsto grab
277 3.2

To take control of a place or person quickly, often by force

is alike but focuses more on wrongful obtaining of power or rights
to take over
vsto grab
222 3.8

Gain control of a company, organization, or government

is about wrongful seizing generally, not only formal ownership change
to rip off
vsto grab
  • Informal
79 6.3

To steal something quickly without the owner knowing

is similar but emphasizes wrongful taking of power or rights too
to pick
vsto grab
58 8.4

To steal small things from someone's pocket or bag

is broader, covering open or hidden wrongful taking
to swipe
vsto grab
  • Informal
49 5.5

To take something quickly without the owner noticing

is comparable but stresses wrongdoing over casual petty theft
to usurp
vsto grab
34 8.6

To take power or a position from someone without the right, often by force

is similar but can apply to money or rights as well
to snatch up
vsto grab
24 4.6

To grab something quickly, often before someone else

is wrongfully taking, so it stresses illegality or unscrupulousness
to siphon off
vsto grab
5 7.9

To secretly take money from a business or charity for your own use

is a more general illicit taking, not only secret siphoning
to wrest control
vsto grab
4 7.7

To take control from someone by force or strong effort

is broader, meaning wrongful taking not limited to control struggles
to hook
vsto grab
  • Slang
3 9.1

To steal something, especially quickly in a crowded place

is the standard term for dishonest obtaining in formal contexts
to snatch someone's purse
vsto grab
7.7

Grab someone's handbag quickly and run away to steal it

is similar but applies more widely to rights, money, or power

Antonyms

to surrender
722 4.4

To stop fighting and give control or things to someone else, often when forced

to relinquish
  • Formal
69 7.2

To give up control, a right, or something you own

Idioms

to grab the bull by the horns
  • Informal
1 6.3

Face a difficult problem directly and bravely

to grab life by the balls
  • Offensive
1 9.9

Act boldly and take control of your life

to grab life by the horns
  • Informal
7.4

To be brave and take control of your life

to grab life by the throat
  • Informal
8.5

To act quickly and boldly to make the most of life

to grab the popcorn
  • Texting
7.7

To get ready to watch something exciting or dramatic

Phrasal Verbs

to grab a bite
  • Informal
30 2.9

Eat a quick meal when you are busy or in a hurry

to grab coffee
  • Informal
28 1.6

Quickly buy a cup of coffee, often to meet someone briefly

to grab dinner
  • Informal
16 2.5

Eat dinner quickly, often without planning

to grab lunch
  • Informal
14 2.6

Eat lunch quickly without planning

to grab a coffee
  • Informal
7 2.4

To buy a cup of coffee quickly as a short break

to grab the wheel
5 5.0

To suddenly take control of a steering wheel in an emergency

to grab someone's attention
3 3.3

Make someone notice something quickly and feel interested

to grab a sandwich
  • Informal
3 1.4

To get and eat a sandwich quickly as a simple meal

to grab waddy
  • Australian
9.9

To take hold of a stick or tool quickly and firmly

Compounds

grab bag
  • Informal
4 4.1

A collection of different small items chosen at random

grab bar
  • US
2 3.4

A strong bar attached to a wall that you hold for support, often in a bathroom

cash grab
  • Literature
1 6.5

A product or action made mainly to get money quickly with little care for quality

grab and go
1 3.7

Food or drinks you buy to eat quickly away from a shop

grab hag
  • Slur
9.9

A person who pushes to take more attention or things than is fair

grab sample
  • Specialized
5.9

A single test taken at one time to show current conditions

How Illegal

to usurp
34 8.6
to plunder
26 6.0
to grab
200 4.5
to seize
  • Formal
156 4.6

Surface Forms

grab infinitive
grabbed past
grabbed past participle
grabbing present participle
grabs third person singular

Etymology

Grab comes from an old Norse word gripa meaning 'to seize', which helps explain phrases like 'power grab' — to grab power is to take it suddenly, often by force or trickery.