26984 words

stab

9 definitions • 11 examples
1
to injure someone with a sharp pointed object such as a knife:

Examples:

She was stabbed several times in the chest.
He was jailed for 15 years for stabbing his wife to death.
2
to make a short, forceful pushing movement with a finger or a long, thin object:

Examples:

As she spoke she stabbed the air with her finger.
He stabbed at the meat with his fork.
3
the act of pushing a knife into someone, or an injury caused by stabbing:

Examples:

He was admitted to hospital with stab wounds.
4
a sudden feeling, especially an unpleasant one such as pain:

Examples:

She felt a stab of envy when she saw all the expensive presents Zoe had been given for Christmas.
5
an action or remark that attacks someone's reputation:

Examples:

Her criticism of the company's plans was a stab at the chairman himself.
6
to injure someone using a sharp, pointed object:

Examples:

He was stabbed with a fork.
7
the act of injuring someone with a sharp, pointed object:

Examples:

He’s recovering from stab wounds.
8
A stab is also a sudden feeling:

Examples:

Cheri felt a sudden stab of guilt.
9
A stab is also an attempt to do something that you may not be able to do:

Examples:

I wouldn’t even take a stab at estimating its cost.

Navigation