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jab

Flag: gbEnglishMerriam-Webster Dictionary
jab
verb
ˈjab
jabbed; jab​bing; jabs

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

  • transitive ​verb
  • to pierce or prod (someone or something) with or as if with a pointed object //She jabbed the steak with her fork. //The nurse jabbed me with the needle. //He jabbed me in the ribs with his elbow.
    to push or drive (something, such as a pointed object) quickly, abruptly, or forcefully thrust //The nurse jabbed the needle into my arm. //She jabbed her elbow into my ribs. //He shouted at Alvarez … , jabbing a finger into the catcher's chest protector. — Wina Sturgeon //"And look at those girls over there," the woman said, jabbing a finger at my sister's children … — Hope Reeves //The robbers then jabbed a gun into Goldberg's back, he told police, and demanded that he hand over his keys. — The Miami Herald
  • to strike (someone or something) with a short straight blow
    specifically, sports to strike (an opponent) with a short straight punch that is delivered with the leading hand //He tried to jab him in the first round, and Ali's head wasn't there. — Gilbert Rogin
  • to pointedly tease or mock (someone) //We joke around. … I was jabbing him about injuries he's had. — Sports Illustrated
  • intransitive ​verb
  • to prod quickly or abruptly and often repeatedly with or as if with a pointed object —usually used with at //He jabbed at his soufflé with a spoon. — P. G. Wodehouse //… repeatedly jabbed at the puck with his stick. — Dave Joseph //We all know him or her—the person who stands at the elevator door and jabs at the button three, four, even five times when the car fails to arrive quickly enough. — Earl Ubell //"You want to talk about this now?" he snarled, … jabbing at me with his finger. — Jack Gantos
    to be thrust or driven quickly, abruptly, or forcefully —usually used with into //The needle jabbed into my arm. //… reduces any chance of … keys or coins jabbing into your back when riding. — George Hill
  • to strike a person with a short straight blow
    specifically, sports to throw a short straight punch that is delivered with the leading hand //The fight was barely a contest after the first round, when Spinks stopped moving and jabbing and began fighting with his back to the ropes. — William Nack //Bradford jabbed well and made sure that Ali was kept at bay … . — Bill Crane
  • to pointedly tease, mock, or make fun of someone //At a moment's notice, he can produce a months-old editorial cartoon jabbing at him and seems genuinely hurt by the message. — The New York Times
noun
plural jabs

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

  • a quick, abrupt, or forceful thrust or stab especially with something pointed an act of jabbing //gave it a couple of jabs with a stick
    specifically a short straight boxing punch delivered with the leading hand //a quick left jab //… Holmes fired a jab and crossed with a … right that caught Frazier flush in the face. — Pat Putnam //Buddy had done a good job of teaching me how to bob and weave and throw a jab. — Anthony Quinn
  • a pointed and often mocking comment or criticism //He has a lot of fun with Ranovic, the oh-so-dramatic, eager young undercover cop who consistently fails to understand Salter's ironic jabs. — Jean MacFarlane Wright //Undeterred, McCain continues with his standard stump speech, leaving in all the anti-Bush jabs. — Michelle Cottle
  • chiefly British, informal an injection of something (such as medicine) into one's body with a needle //made an appointment for her second jab //We're averaging 3 million jabs in arms a day. — Ali Velshi
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Verb
gore harpoon impale lance peck pick pierce pink puncture run through skewer spear spike spit stab stick transfix transpierce
Synonyms: Noun
dab dig lunge poke
Examples
Verb
  • //He jabbed at the other player with his hockey stick.
  • //The needle jabbed his arm.
  • //The needle jabbed into his arm.
Noun
  • //She gave him a jab in the ribs.
  • //He threw a right jab to his opponent's body.
First Known Use
Verb
1825, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Noun
1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
Verb
probably variant of job "to prod, poke," of expressive origin

NOTE: See note at job entry 1.

Noun
derivative of jab entry 1
jab
noun

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

verb

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

jab
verb
ˈjab
jabbed; jab​bing; jabs

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

  • transitive ​verb
  • to pierce or prod (someone or something) with or as if with a pointed object //She jabbed the steak with her fork. //The nurse jabbed me with the needle. //He jabbed me in the ribs with his elbow.
    to push or drive (something, such as a pointed object) quickly, abruptly, or forcefully thrust //The nurse jabbed the needle into my arm. //She jabbed her elbow into my ribs. //He shouted at Alvarez … , jabbing a finger into the catcher's chest protector. — Wina Sturgeon //"And look at those girls over there," the woman said, jabbing a finger at my sister's children … — Hope Reeves //The robbers then jabbed a gun into Goldberg's back, he told police, and demanded that he hand over his keys. — The Miami Herald
  • to strike (someone or something) with a short straight blow
    specifically, sports to strike (an opponent) with a short straight punch that is delivered with the leading hand //He tried to jab him in the first round, and Ali's head wasn't there. — Gilbert Rogin
  • to pointedly tease or mock (someone) //We joke around. … I was jabbing him about injuries he's had. — Sports Illustrated
  • intransitive ​verb
  • to prod quickly or abruptly and often repeatedly with or as if with a pointed object —usually used with at //He jabbed at his soufflé with a spoon. — P. G. Wodehouse //… repeatedly jabbed at the puck with his stick. — Dave Joseph //We all know him or her—the person who stands at the elevator door and jabs at the button three, four, even five times when the car fails to arrive quickly enough. — Earl Ubell //"You want to talk about this now?" he snarled, … jabbing at me with his finger. — Jack Gantos
    to be thrust or driven quickly, abruptly, or forcefully —usually used with into //The needle jabbed into my arm. //… reduces any chance of … keys or coins jabbing into your back when riding. — George Hill
  • to strike a person with a short straight blow
    specifically, sports to throw a short straight punch that is delivered with the leading hand //The fight was barely a contest after the first round, when Spinks stopped moving and jabbing and began fighting with his back to the ropes. — William Nack //Bradford jabbed well and made sure that Ali was kept at bay … . — Bill Crane
  • to pointedly tease, mock, or make fun of someone //At a moment's notice, he can produce a months-old editorial cartoon jabbing at him and seems genuinely hurt by the message. — The New York Times
noun
plural jabs

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

  • a quick, abrupt, or forceful thrust or stab especially with something pointed an act of jabbing //gave it a couple of jabs with a stick
    specifically a short straight boxing punch delivered with the leading hand //a quick left jab //… Holmes fired a jab and crossed with a … right that caught Frazier flush in the face. — Pat Putnam //Buddy had done a good job of teaching me how to bob and weave and throw a jab. — Anthony Quinn
  • a pointed and often mocking comment or criticism //He has a lot of fun with Ranovic, the oh-so-dramatic, eager young undercover cop who consistently fails to understand Salter's ironic jabs. — Jean MacFarlane Wright //Undeterred, McCain continues with his standard stump speech, leaving in all the anti-Bush jabs. — Michelle Cottle
  • chiefly British, informal an injection of something (such as medicine) into one's body with a needle //made an appointment for her second jab //We're averaging 3 million jabs in arms a day. — Ali Velshi
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Verb
gore harpoon impale lance peck pick pierce pink puncture run through skewer spear spike spit stab stick transfix transpierce
Synonyms: Noun
dab dig lunge poke
Examples
Verb
  • //He jabbed at the other player with his hockey stick.
  • //The needle jabbed his arm.
  • //The needle jabbed into his arm.
Noun
  • //She gave him a jab in the ribs.
  • //He threw a right jab to his opponent's body.
First Known Use
Verb
1825, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Noun
1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
Verb
probably variant of job "to prod, poke," of expressive origin

NOTE: See note at job entry 1.

Noun
derivative of jab entry 1
jab
noun

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

verb

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

jab
verb
ˈjab
jabbed; jab​bing; jabs

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

  • transitive ​verb
  • to pierce or prod (someone or something) with or as if with a pointed object //She jabbed the steak with her fork. //The nurse jabbed me with the needle. //He jabbed me in the ribs with his elbow.
    to push or drive (something, such as a pointed object) quickly, abruptly, or forcefully thrust //The nurse jabbed the needle into my arm. //She jabbed her elbow into my ribs. //He shouted at Alvarez … , jabbing a finger into the catcher's chest protector. — Wina Sturgeon //"And look at those girls over there," the woman said, jabbing a finger at my sister's children … — Hope Reeves //The robbers then jabbed a gun into Goldberg's back, he told police, and demanded that he hand over his keys. — The Miami Herald
  • to strike (someone or something) with a short straight blow
    specifically, sports to strike (an opponent) with a short straight punch that is delivered with the leading hand //He tried to jab him in the first round, and Ali's head wasn't there. — Gilbert Rogin
  • to pointedly tease or mock (someone) //We joke around. … I was jabbing him about injuries he's had. — Sports Illustrated
  • intransitive ​verb
  • to prod quickly or abruptly and often repeatedly with or as if with a pointed object —usually used with at //He jabbed at his soufflé with a spoon. — P. G. Wodehouse //… repeatedly jabbed at the puck with his stick. — Dave Joseph //We all know him or her—the person who stands at the elevator door and jabs at the button three, four, even five times when the car fails to arrive quickly enough. — Earl Ubell //"You want to talk about this now?" he snarled, … jabbing at me with his finger. — Jack Gantos
    to be thrust or driven quickly, abruptly, or forcefully —usually used with into //The needle jabbed into my arm. //… reduces any chance of … keys or coins jabbing into your back when riding. — George Hill
  • to strike a person with a short straight blow
    specifically, sports to throw a short straight punch that is delivered with the leading hand //The fight was barely a contest after the first round, when Spinks stopped moving and jabbing and began fighting with his back to the ropes. — William Nack //Bradford jabbed well and made sure that Ali was kept at bay … . — Bill Crane
  • to pointedly tease, mock, or make fun of someone //At a moment's notice, he can produce a months-old editorial cartoon jabbing at him and seems genuinely hurt by the message. — The New York Times
noun
plural jabs

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

  • a quick, abrupt, or forceful thrust or stab especially with something pointed an act of jabbing //gave it a couple of jabs with a stick
    specifically a short straight boxing punch delivered with the leading hand //a quick left jab //… Holmes fired a jab and crossed with a … right that caught Frazier flush in the face. — Pat Putnam //Buddy had done a good job of teaching me how to bob and weave and throw a jab. — Anthony Quinn
  • a pointed and often mocking comment or criticism //He has a lot of fun with Ranovic, the oh-so-dramatic, eager young undercover cop who consistently fails to understand Salter's ironic jabs. — Jean MacFarlane Wright //Undeterred, McCain continues with his standard stump speech, leaving in all the anti-Bush jabs. — Michelle Cottle
  • chiefly British, informal an injection of something (such as medicine) into one's body with a needle //made an appointment for her second jab //We're averaging 3 million jabs in arms a day. — Ali Velshi
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Verb
gore harpoon impale lance peck pick pierce pink puncture run through skewer spear spike spit stab stick transfix transpierce
Synonyms: Noun
dab dig lunge poke
Examples
Verb
  • //He jabbed at the other player with his hockey stick.
  • //The needle jabbed his arm.
  • //The needle jabbed into his arm.
Noun
  • //She gave him a jab in the ribs.
  • //He threw a right jab to his opponent's body.
First Known Use
Verb
1825, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Noun
1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
Verb
probably variant of job "to prod, poke," of expressive origin

NOTE: See note at job entry 1.

Noun
derivative of jab entry 1
jab
noun

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

verb

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

jab
verb
ˈjab
jabbed; jab​bing; jabs

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

  • transitive ​verb
  • to pierce or prod (someone or something) with or as if with a pointed object //She jabbed the steak with her fork. //The nurse jabbed me with the needle. //He jabbed me in the ribs with his elbow.
    to push or drive (something, such as a pointed object) quickly, abruptly, or forcefully thrust //The nurse jabbed the needle into my arm. //She jabbed her elbow into my ribs. //He shouted at Alvarez … , jabbing a finger into the catcher's chest protector. — Wina Sturgeon //"And look at those girls over there," the woman said, jabbing a finger at my sister's children … — Hope Reeves //The robbers then jabbed a gun into Goldberg's back, he told police, and demanded that he hand over his keys. — The Miami Herald
  • to strike (someone or something) with a short straight blow
    specifically, sports to strike (an opponent) with a short straight punch that is delivered with the leading hand //He tried to jab him in the first round, and Ali's head wasn't there. — Gilbert Rogin
  • to pointedly tease or mock (someone) //We joke around. … I was jabbing him about injuries he's had. — Sports Illustrated
  • intransitive ​verb
  • to prod quickly or abruptly and often repeatedly with or as if with a pointed object —usually used with at //He jabbed at his soufflé with a spoon. — P. G. Wodehouse //… repeatedly jabbed at the puck with his stick. — Dave Joseph //We all know him or her—the person who stands at the elevator door and jabs at the button three, four, even five times when the car fails to arrive quickly enough. — Earl Ubell //"You want to talk about this now?" he snarled, … jabbing at me with his finger. — Jack Gantos
    to be thrust or driven quickly, abruptly, or forcefully —usually used with into //The needle jabbed into my arm. //… reduces any chance of … keys or coins jabbing into your back when riding. — George Hill
  • to strike a person with a short straight blow
    specifically, sports to throw a short straight punch that is delivered with the leading hand //The fight was barely a contest after the first round, when Spinks stopped moving and jabbing and began fighting with his back to the ropes. — William Nack //Bradford jabbed well and made sure that Ali was kept at bay … . — Bill Crane
  • to pointedly tease, mock, or make fun of someone //At a moment's notice, he can produce a months-old editorial cartoon jabbing at him and seems genuinely hurt by the message. — The New York Times
noun
plural jabs

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

  • a quick, abrupt, or forceful thrust or stab especially with something pointed an act of jabbing //gave it a couple of jabs with a stick
    specifically a short straight boxing punch delivered with the leading hand //a quick left jab //… Holmes fired a jab and crossed with a … right that caught Frazier flush in the face. — Pat Putnam //Buddy had done a good job of teaching me how to bob and weave and throw a jab. — Anthony Quinn
  • a pointed and often mocking comment or criticism //He has a lot of fun with Ranovic, the oh-so-dramatic, eager young undercover cop who consistently fails to understand Salter's ironic jabs. — Jean MacFarlane Wright //Undeterred, McCain continues with his standard stump speech, leaving in all the anti-Bush jabs. — Michelle Cottle
  • chiefly British, informal an injection of something (such as medicine) into one's body with a needle //made an appointment for her second jab //We're averaging 3 million jabs in arms a day. — Ali Velshi
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Verb
gore harpoon impale lance peck pick pierce pink puncture run through skewer spear spike spit stab stick transfix transpierce
Synonyms: Noun
dab dig lunge poke
Examples
Verb
  • //He jabbed at the other player with his hockey stick.
  • //The needle jabbed his arm.
  • //The needle jabbed into his arm.
Noun
  • //She gave him a jab in the ribs.
  • //He threw a right jab to his opponent's body.
First Known Use
Verb
1825, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Noun
1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
Verb
probably variant of job "to prod, poke," of expressive origin

NOTE: See note at job entry 1.

Noun
derivative of jab entry 1
jab
noun

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

verb

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

jab
verb
ˈjab
jabbed; jab​bing; jabs

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

  • transitive ​verb
  • to pierce or prod (someone or something) with or as if with a pointed object //She jabbed the steak with her fork. //The nurse jabbed me with the needle. //He jabbed me in the ribs with his elbow.
    to push or drive (something, such as a pointed object) quickly, abruptly, or forcefully thrust //The nurse jabbed the needle into my arm. //She jabbed her elbow into my ribs. //He shouted at Alvarez … , jabbing a finger into the catcher's chest protector. — Wina Sturgeon //"And look at those girls over there," the woman said, jabbing a finger at my sister's children … — Hope Reeves //The robbers then jabbed a gun into Goldberg's back, he told police, and demanded that he hand over his keys. — The Miami Herald
  • to strike (someone or something) with a short straight blow
    specifically, sports to strike (an opponent) with a short straight punch that is delivered with the leading hand //He tried to jab him in the first round, and Ali's head wasn't there. — Gilbert Rogin
  • to pointedly tease or mock (someone) //We joke around. … I was jabbing him about injuries he's had. — Sports Illustrated
  • intransitive ​verb
  • to prod quickly or abruptly and often repeatedly with or as if with a pointed object —usually used with at //He jabbed at his soufflé with a spoon. — P. G. Wodehouse //… repeatedly jabbed at the puck with his stick. — Dave Joseph //We all know him or her—the person who stands at the elevator door and jabs at the button three, four, even five times when the car fails to arrive quickly enough. — Earl Ubell //"You want to talk about this now?" he snarled, … jabbing at me with his finger. — Jack Gantos
    to be thrust or driven quickly, abruptly, or forcefully —usually used with into //The needle jabbed into my arm. //… reduces any chance of … keys or coins jabbing into your back when riding. — George Hill
  • to strike a person with a short straight blow
    specifically, sports to throw a short straight punch that is delivered with the leading hand //The fight was barely a contest after the first round, when Spinks stopped moving and jabbing and began fighting with his back to the ropes. — William Nack //Bradford jabbed well and made sure that Ali was kept at bay … . — Bill Crane
  • to pointedly tease, mock, or make fun of someone //At a moment's notice, he can produce a months-old editorial cartoon jabbing at him and seems genuinely hurt by the message. — The New York Times
noun
plural jabs

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

  • a quick, abrupt, or forceful thrust or stab especially with something pointed an act of jabbing //gave it a couple of jabs with a stick
    specifically a short straight boxing punch delivered with the leading hand //a quick left jab //… Holmes fired a jab and crossed with a … right that caught Frazier flush in the face. — Pat Putnam //Buddy had done a good job of teaching me how to bob and weave and throw a jab. — Anthony Quinn
  • a pointed and often mocking comment or criticism //He has a lot of fun with Ranovic, the oh-so-dramatic, eager young undercover cop who consistently fails to understand Salter's ironic jabs. — Jean MacFarlane Wright //Undeterred, McCain continues with his standard stump speech, leaving in all the anti-Bush jabs. — Michelle Cottle
  • chiefly British, informal an injection of something (such as medicine) into one's body with a needle //made an appointment for her second jab //We're averaging 3 million jabs in arms a day. — Ali Velshi
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Verb
gore harpoon impale lance peck pick pierce pink puncture run through skewer spear spike spit stab stick transfix transpierce
Synonyms: Noun
dab dig lunge poke
Examples
Verb
  • //He jabbed at the other player with his hockey stick.
  • //The needle jabbed his arm.
  • //The needle jabbed into his arm.
Noun
  • //She gave him a jab in the ribs.
  • //He threw a right jab to his opponent's body.
First Known Use
Verb
1825, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Noun
1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
Verb
probably variant of job "to prod, poke," of expressive origin

NOTE: See note at job entry 1.

Noun
derivative of jab entry 1
jab
noun

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

verb

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

jab — MW · Shobdo