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English (UK)
Cambridge Dictionary Online

Meaning of stab in English

stab
verb
uk
/stæb/ us
/stæb/
-bb-
Add to word list Add to word list
B2 [ T ]
to injure someone with a sharp pointed object such as a knife:
She was stabbed several times in the chest.
He was jailed for 15 years for stabbing his wife to death.
Thesaurus: synonyms, antonyms, and examples
to hurt someone physically
  • hurtI hurt my arm climbing over the fence.
  • injureThe bomb killed ten people and injured many more.
  • woundHe was wounded so badly in the attack that doctors said he might never walk again.
  • maimThe atrocities have killed or maimed thousands of people.
  • tortureThe guards were accused of torturing prisoners.
  • stabHe was fatally stabbed with a kitchen knife.
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[ I or T ]
to make a short, forceful pushing movement with a finger or a long, thin object:
As she spoke she stabbed the air with her finger.
He stabbed at the meat with his fork.
More examplesFewer examples
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
Cutting and stabbing
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:

Idiom

stab someone in the back
stab
noun [ C ]
uk
/stæb/ us
/stæb/
the act of pushing a knife into someone, or an injury caused by stabbing:
He was admitted to hospital with stab wounds.
a sudden feeling, especially an unpleasant one such as pain:
She felt a stab of envy when she saw all the expensive presents Zoe had been given for Christmas.
Thesaurus: synonyms, antonyms, and examples
pain
  • painThere are drugs you can take to ease the pain.
  • agonyMothers will often talk about the agony of childbirth.
  • sorenessIf you sailed through the exercises without soreness, you can move on.
  • acheI developed a dull ache in my jaw.
  • discomfortSometimes receding gums can cause discomfort.
  • stingBee stings can cause an allergic reaction in some people.
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an action or remark that attacks someone's reputation:
Her criticism of the company's plans was a stab at the chairman himself.
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
Cutting and stabbing
See more results »

You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:

Idiom

have/make a stab at something
(Definition of stab from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

stab | American Dictionary

stab
verb [ T ]
us
/stæb/
-bb-
Add to word list Add to word list
to injure someone using a sharp, pointed object:
He was stabbed with a fork.

Idiom

stab someone in the back
stab
noun [ C ]
us
/stæb/
the act of injuring someone with a sharp, pointed object:
He’s recovering from stab wounds.
A stab is also a sudden feeling:
Cheri felt a sudden stab of guilt.
A stab is also an attempt to do something that you may not be able to do:
I wouldn’t even take a stab at estimating its cost.
(Definition of stab from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)
What is the pronunciation of stab?
 

Translations of stab

in Chinese (Traditional)
（用刀等銳器）戳，捅，刺, （用指頭或細長物）戳，捅, （用刀）戳，刺，捅…
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in Chinese (Simplified)
（用刀等锐器）戳，捅，刺, （用指头或细长物）戳，捅, （用刀）戳，刺，捅…
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in Spanish
apuñalar, puñalada, herida de arma blanca…
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in Portuguese
apunhalar, esfaquear, punhalada…
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in more languages
in Marathi
in Japanese
in Turkish
in French
in Catalan
in Dutch
in Tamil
in Hindi
in Gujarati
in Danish
in Swedish
in Malay
in German
in Norwegian
in Urdu
in Ukrainian
in Telugu
in Bengali
in Czech
in Indonesian
in Thai
in Vietnamese
in Polish
in Korean
in Italian
भोसकणे…
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（ナイフで）～を刺す, 突き刺す, 突き刺すこと…
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bıçaklamak, bıçak saplamak, bıçaklama…
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donner un coup de, poignarder, coup [masculine] de couteau…
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apunyalar, punyalada…
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steken, steek…
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கத்தி போன்ற கூர்மையான முனைகொண்ட பொருளால் ஒருவரை காயப்படுத்த…
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भोंकना…
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ભસવું…
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stikke, stik…
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sticka ner, knivhugga, stick…
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tikam, tikaman…
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stechen, der Stich…
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stikke, stikk [neuter], dolke…
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نوکیلا ہتھیار گھونپنا, چاق یا کوئی تیز دھار والی چیز پیوست کرنا…
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встромляти, заколоти, удар чимось гострим…
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పొడచడం…
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ছুরিকাঘাত করা…
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(pro)bodnout, (pro)bodnutí…
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menikam, tikaman…
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แทง, การแทง…
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đâm ai bằng dao găm, sự đâm bằng dao, vết thương do dao đâm…
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ugodzić (nożem ), zadawać cios (nożem ), cios lub dźgnięcie lub pchnięcie (nożem )…
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칼로 찌르다, 찌르기…
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accoltellare, pugnalare, pugnalata…
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