CAPTURE Synonyms: 130 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'capture' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of capture are bag , catch , ensnare , entrap , snare , and trap . While all these words mean "to come to possess or control by or as if by seizing," capture suggests taking by overcoming resistance or difficulty. // capture an enemy stronghold

Q: In what contexts can 'bag' take the place of 'capture'?

In some situations, the words bag and capture are roughly equivalent. However, bag implies shooting down a fleeing or distant prey. // bagged a brace of pheasants

Q: When is 'catch' a more appropriate choice than 'capture'?

The words catch and capture are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, catch implies the seizing of something in motion or in flight or in hiding. // caught the dog as it ran by

Q: How do 'entrap' and 'ensnare' relate to one another, in the sense of 'capture'?

Both entrap and ensnare more often are figurative. // entrapped the witness with a trick question // a sting operation that ensnared burglars

Q: How is 'trap' related to other words for 'capture'?

Trap , snare , entrap , and ensnare imply seizing by some device that holds the one caught at the mercy of the captor. Trap and snare apply more commonly to physical seizing. // trap animals // snared butterflies with a net

capture 1 of 2

verb

Definition of capture

as in to win

to receive as return for effort the movie's producers captured several awards for their work

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to grab

to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly captured the cat just as it was about to escape out the front door

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

capture

2 of 2

noun

ˈkap-chər

as in prisoner

one that has been taken and held in confinement a Spanish treasure ship was the most valuable capture ever taken by that privateer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb capture contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of capture are bag, catch, ensnare, entrap, snare, and trap. While all these words mean "to come to possess or control by or as if by seizing," capture suggests taking by overcoming resistance or difficulty.

capture an enemy stronghold

In what contexts can bag take the place of capture?

In some situations, the words bag and capture are roughly equivalent. However, bag implies shooting down a fleeing or distant prey.

bagged a brace of pheasants

When is catch a more appropriate choice than capture?

The words catch and capture are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, catch implies the seizing of something in motion or in flight or in hiding.

caught the dog as it ran by

How do entrap and ensnare relate to one another, in the sense of capture?

Both entrap and ensnare more often are figurative.

entrapped the witness with a trick question

a sting operation that ensnared burglars

How is trap related to other words for capture?

Trap, snare, entrap, and ensnare imply seizing by some device that holds the one caught at the mercy of the captor. Trap and snare apply more commonly to physical seizing.

trap animals

snared butterflies with a net

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of capture

Verb

The footage showed the vehicles entering and exiting the site and allowed investigators to capture their vehicle identification numbers, which were forwarded to CBP, according to Earley. — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2026 On October 24, 1946, a V-2 rocket captured the first-ever photo of Earth from space. — Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Noun

The company had on three previous missions made successful captures of the Super Heavy booster, captured by the swiveling arms of the launch tower at its Texas site Starbase. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026 On The Beast of Mossy Bottom, the team used Gaussian splatting, a 3D-capture technique, to accommodate more locations within the available studio space. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for capture

Recent Examples of Synonyms for capture

Verb

But Ben-Gvir and his allies hope to win enough seats to force Netanyahu to accommodate their demands or risk losing power.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Election Day nears The stakes are high as the race Marshall was supposed to win handily is now neck-and-neck, according to recent polling.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of win

Verb

Finally, grab 32% off the Eufy E340 Security Video Doorbell with Chime, providing dual 2K cameras and color night vision.

— Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026
James scored 18 points, grabbed two rebounds and was a minus-22 going up against Paul Reed, and the 76ers were left to hope his presence at center was nothing more than a cameo.

— Dan Gelston, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of grab

Noun

More recently, the outgoing governor — who is expected to run for president in 2028 — has mulled commuting all 536 state death row prisoners’ sentences to life without parole.

— Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Constant rumors of an impending prisoner swap also provided some comfort.

— Terry Hartle, Christian Science Monitor, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of prisoner

Verb

The New York Red Bulls took advantage of an early own goal, added an Emil Forsberg score in second-half stoppage time and capitalized on a limited appearance by Lionel Messi to earn a crucial 2-0 victory over Inter Miami on Saturday.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2026
Prior to working in Hollywood, Atchity served as an assistant professor of English and comparative literature at Occidental College before earning tenure and becoming a full-time professor.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of earn

Verb

SpaceX's confidence in its ability to catch both the Super Heavy and Ship stages has been building this year, following three launches so far in 2026.

— Josh Dinner, Space.com, 26 Oct. 2026
In Minor Black Figures, Taylor casts a sharp gaze on the New York art scene through the eyes of Wyeth, a young Black painter caught in the throes of creative struggle.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of catch

Verb

The Panthers wound up out gaining Argyle 552 to 480 in total yards with running back Gabriel Bess picking up 160 yards on 19 carries.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
By adding a company with a long record in underwater robotics, Elbit gains access to specialist expertise that complements its existing surface, sensor, communications and command-and-control capabilities.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of gain

Verb

Experts worry federal law enforcement could potentially use those false claims — or others generated this year — as pretext to try to seize ballots during the counting period, or interfere in the process in some other way.

— Miles Parks, NPR, 22 Oct. 2026
Those weaknesses could enable cybercriminals to seize control of unprotected website servers, install malware, pilfer customer data and even take sites down completely.

— Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of seize

Verb

The railroads have yet to reap the price benefits of the volume growth, since intermodal rates are set in an annual bid season each fall and winter.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026
The platform continued to reap the benefits of record-high viewership for the FIFA World Cup, as the final games played out at the beginning of the quarter and aired on NBCUniversal's Telemundo and on Peacock.

— Catriona Marangi, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of reap

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captors

capture

captured

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“Capture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/capture. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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