captor

noun

cap·​tor ˈkap-tər How to pronounce captor (audio)
-ˌtȯr
Synonyms of captornext
: one that has captured a person or thing

Examples of captor in a Sentence

The men fought their captors and escaped.
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.
The young woman is on the run from Spanish captors. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 24 June 2026 The captors also reportedly expressed guilt over her alleged death. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 26 June 2026 Olivia launches her second escape by bludgeoning one of her captors with a metal pipe, grabbing his gun, and sprinting toward the red prison door. — Ew Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 25 June 2026 Their captors beset by these foreign brigands, Larys and Aegon manage to escape. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for captor

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, from Latin capere

First Known Use

circa 1688, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of captor was circa 1688

Rhymes for captor

See All Rhymes for captor

Browse Nearby Words

captopril
captor
captorhinomorph
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Captor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/captor. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

captor

noun
cap·​tor ˈkap-tər How to pronounce captor (audio)
-ˌtȯ(ə)r
: one that has captured a person or thing

More from Merriam-Webster on captor

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for captor

Nglish: Translation of captor for Spanish Speakers

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