as in stabs
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object
jabbed a pickle and tossed it on the plate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of jabs
Paris Barraza, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
Some of his jabs seemed a bit forced and stagy.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
Newsom taunts Trump with multiple jabs as Florida redistricting fight ramps up.
—FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Misty Copeland and Broadway’s Tamar Greene hosted the show; a few jabs were made at Timothee Chalamet‘s expense.
—Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
In 1983, Mark Russell, whose satire was a PBS staple, offered relatively tame jabs at Reagan.
—ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
Glaser’s opening monologue took jabs at MrBeast’s fanbase, Noah Kahan for looking like a weed dealer at a Dave Matthews concert and Victoria Beckham for never cracking a smile.
—Antonio Ferme, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026
Such jabs are frequently reserved for a series clinching because, well, the job is done at that point.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 22 Apr. 2026
Those two standout episodes are also largely separated from the country club settling, which too often opens the door for slightly superficial jabs at the club’s vapid members.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
Donald Trump‘s effort today to praise his new Homeland Security Secretary and defend him from Jimmy Kimmel‘s jabs kind of backfired.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2026
In another moment, long-time rivals Jett and Mane exchange jabs against one another over a livestream as thousands of roarball fans tune in and cheer them on in the comments.
—Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Srinivas, who often jabs the search engine giant, made an interesting point.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Haggard jabs Baird over mailers The race is already tense.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 13 Aug. 2025
His finger jabs on the second-to-last page, at the postscript.
—Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Feb. 2025
Noun
In an over hourlong debate at Pomona College’s Bridges Auditorium, eight candidates running for California governor sparred over health care and tossed jabs just days before Californians can begin voting early in the state's primary election.
—Paris Barraza, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
Some of his jabs seemed a bit forced and stagy.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
Newsom taunts Trump with multiple jabs as Florida redistricting fight ramps up.
—FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Misty Copeland and Broadway’s Tamar Greene hosted the show; a few jabs were made at Timothee Chalamet‘s expense.
—Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
In 1983, Mark Russell, whose satire was a PBS staple, offered relatively tame jabs at Reagan.
—ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
Glaser’s opening monologue took jabs at MrBeast’s fanbase, Noah Kahan for looking like a weed dealer at a Dave Matthews concert and Victoria Beckham for never cracking a smile.
—Antonio Ferme, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026
Such jabs are frequently reserved for a series clinching because, well, the job is done at that point.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 22 Apr. 2026
Those two standout episodes are also largely separated from the country club settling, which too often opens the door for slightly superficial jabs at the club’s vapid members.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
The public jabs from the president have angered some Catholics, the single largest religious denomination in the United States, according to Pew Research Center.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
Donald Trump‘s effort today to praise his new Homeland Security Secretary and defend him from Jimmy Kimmel‘s jabs kind of backfired.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2026
In another moment, long-time rivals Jett and Mane exchange jabs against one another over a livestream as thousands of roarball fans tune in and cheer them on in the comments.
—Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Srinivas, who often jabs the search engine giant, made an interesting point.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Haggard jabs Baird over mailers The race is already tense.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 13 Aug. 2025
His finger jabs on the second-to-last page, at the postscript.
—Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jabs
Noun
-
Pitch invasions, punches thrown (allegedly) and promotion by a whisker in the 103rd minute.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Dallas and Minnesota throw punches from your weight class.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The shower curtain opens, revealing an old woman, who stabs and decapitates Mary.—
Therie Hendrey-Seabrook,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
18 Mar. 2026
-
But this person who was a friend, who owes her career to me, just stabs me in the back.—
Maer Roshan,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Ryan Glassman 5 kills, 12 assists, 5 digs.—
Josh Krockey,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The Republicans included digs at Ossoff in their opening remarks, in their answers and in their final messages to voters.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Joel, a 19‑year veteran, begins pursuing after another officer deploys a spike strip and punctures the Challenger's tires.—
Kelsy Mittauer,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The narrower design, combined with the several sharp teeth, effectively punctures through tough pepper skin and hard fruits to cut out the core and remove seeds in a matter of seconds.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Then in the second, Mattias Samuelsson was allowed to take multiple pokes at Jeremy Swayman before Geekie clobbered him.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Privacy may struggle within a buzzing neighborhood as the Sun in your contemplative 12th house pokes indulgent Jupiter in your 3rd House of Messages.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Seven picks later, the Rams jolted the league by calling Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
For decluttering, storage picks like this bench with a spacious hidden compartment, a lockable deck box, and a generous-sized shed are all on sale for Way Day.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Its 1959 Googie-style sign pierces the sky, a beacon of hope for weary road-trippers cruising this achingly lonely stretch of highway.—
Zoey Goto,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Lower the heat to medium-high and cook, gently stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent and a paring knife easily pierces a potato, about 15 minutes.—
C.W. Cameron,
AJC.com,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
So people are just getting this enormous number of at bats in the hopes of trying to find the thing that sticks.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Lohan's day of filming included a version that sticks closely to the original blueprint.—
Daisy Maldonado,
InStyle,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Jabs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jabs. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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