stab

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈstab How to pronounce stab (audio)
Synonyms of stabnext
1
: a wound produced by a pointed object or weapon
2
a
: a thrust of a pointed weapon
b
: a jerky thrust
3
: effort, try
I'll take a stab at it.
4
: a sudden sharp feeling
stabs of regret

stab

2 of 3

verb

stabbed; stabbing

transitive verb

1
: to wound or pierce by the thrust of a pointed object or weapon
2
: thrust, drive

intransitive verb

: to thrust or give a wound with or as if with a pointed weapon
stabber noun
see also:
stab in the back

stabber

3 of 3

noun (2)

stab·​ber
-bə(r)
plural -s
1
: one that stabs
2
: a sailmaker's marlinespike or awl : pricker

Synonyms of stab

Relevance

Noun (1)

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of stab in a Sentence

Noun (1) the injection left a small stab on her upper arm everybody will get a stab at solving the problem Verb He stabbed her with a dagger. The victim was stabbed in the chest five times.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
At the time, Interpol was constantly dodging comparisons to Joy Division with their angular guitar stabs and Paul Banks’ distinct baritone that reminded some of Ian Curtis. — David Harris, SPIN, 31 Aug. 2026 Responding officers found Tutu lying on the sidewalk with multiple stab wounds to the chest and abdomen, according to the press release. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
While at the scene, they were notified by BART police that a third stabbing victim had been found near the Fruitvale station. — Jason Green, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026 Anthony, now 19, was convicted of murder in June and sentenced to 35 years in prison for fatally stabbing Austin during an altercation at a track meet in Frisco, Texas, in April 2025. — ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stab

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English stabbe

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stab was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing stab

Rhymes for stab

See All Rhymes for stab

Browse Nearby Words

staatenbund
stab
Stabat Mater
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stab.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stab. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

stab

1 of 2 noun
ˈstab How to pronounce stab (audio)
1
: a wound produced by a pointed object or weapon
2
: a thrust of a pointed weapon
3
: effort sense 2, try
I'll take a stab at it

stab

2 of 2 verb
stabbed; stabbing
1
: to wound or pierce by the thrust of a pointed object or weapon
2
: thrust entry 1 sense 1, drive
stabber noun

Medical Definition

stab

1 of 2 noun
ˈstab How to pronounce stab (audio)
1
: a wound produced by a pointed object or weapon
2
a
: a culture medium solidified in an upright column in a tube to reduce the surface to a minimum compare slant
b
: stab culture

stab

2 of 2 transitive verb
stabbed; stabbing
: to wound or pierce by the thrust of a pointed object or weapon
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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