CATCH Synonyms: 444 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of catch are bag , capture , ensnare , entrap , snare , and trap . While all these words mean "to come to possess or control by or as if by seizing," catch implies the seizing of something in motion or in flight or in hiding. // caught the dog as it ran by

Q: Where would 'bag' be a reasonable alternative to 'catch'?

The words bag and catch are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bag implies shooting down a fleeing or distant prey. // bagged a brace of pheasants

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

While the synonyms capture and catch are close in meaning, capture suggests taking by overcoming resistance or difficulty. // capture an enemy stronghold

Q: How are the words 'entrap' and 'ensnare' related as synonyms of 'catch'?

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 'catch'?

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

catch 1 of 2

verb

ˈkach

Definition of catch

as in to grab

to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly we tried to catch the kitten before she could sneak out the door

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to get

to become affected with (a disease or disorder) you'll catch the flu for sure if you don't get a shot

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as in to stop

to bring (something) to a standstill I caught myself just as I was about to step into the freshly poured concrete

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as in to secure

to put securely in place or in a desired position caught back her hair with a barrette

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as in to know

to have a clear idea of I didn't catch the point you were making about our nation's foreign policy

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to trick

to cause to believe what is untrue a number of media outlets were caught by the woman's hard-luck story

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to encounter

to come upon face-to-face or as if face-to-face I'll catch you at the library tomorrow

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as in to notice

to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes I looked out the window just in time to catch the neighbor's dog digging up my flower bed

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as in to chase

to move fast enough to get even with despite the suspect's considerable lead, the fleet-footed police officer was able to catch him and make an arrest

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fall short

catch

2 of 2

noun

as in hitch

a danger or difficulty that is hidden or not easily recognized the catch is that you have to come up with the money by tomorrow

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in prize

someone or something unusually desirable everyone thought the captain of the football team was a real catch

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lemon
loser

as in haul

the total amount collected or obtained especially at one time the total catch for our day at the creek was six fish and a crab

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb catch contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of catch are bag, capture, ensnare, entrap, snare, and trap. While all these words mean "to come to possess or control by or as if by seizing," catch implies the seizing of something in motion or in flight or in hiding.

caught the dog as it ran by

Where would bag be a reasonable alternative to catch?

The words bag and catch are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bag implies shooting down a fleeing or distant prey.

bagged a brace of pheasants

When is capture a more appropriate choice than catch?

While the synonyms capture and catch are close in meaning, capture suggests taking by overcoming resistance or difficulty.

capture an enemy stronghold

How are the words entrap and ensnare related as synonyms of catch?

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 catch?

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 catch

Verb

Douglas, who played 44 of the 65 offensive snaps, became the seventh Dolphins rookie in history to catch multiple touchdowns in a game; De’Von Achane was the last, in the 70-point eruption against Denver in 2023. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026 Justin Watson, picked up off the street a week ago, caught one pass. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026

Noun

The three touchdown catches tie his career high and also tie the single-game school record. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026 But the fourth-year pro caught eight passes for 68 yards, including his catch-and-run for an 11-yard touchdown. — Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for catch

Recent Examples of Synonyms for catch

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

Verb

Ironically, these uninsured Americans may be helping drive the cost of health care even higher, fueling a cycle in which health insurance gets more expensive, forcing more people to drop coverage.

— Alana Semuels, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Why concert tickets keep getting more expensive Artists, promoters, venues, and ticketing platforms all take a cut of each ticket.

— James LaForge, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of get

Verb

Luigi Carbone, Pope Leo XIV's physician, said the pontiff's recovery from lung cancer surgery won't stop plans for a visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru involving a dozen flights and two helicopter rides to high altitudes.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
Another to stop solving problems his team brings him and teach them to solve it instead.

— Ben Plomion, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of stop

Verb

Together, these assets show how clean power can become a core part of a balanced and secure energy mix.

— H.E. Dr Abdulla Saif Al Jarwan, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Simmons said prosecutors in Guatemala were integral in securing convictions for Miranda Orozco and others.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of secure

Verb

The prince didn’t have any luck in blocking Kelce, which comes as little surprise given the Chiefs star knows how to avoid defensive players.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2026
Anyone who has worked at a fast-growing company at the edge of technology knows that obligations, circumstances and products change daily.

— Daniel Kjellén, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of know

Verb

Working with other artists offers opportunities to exchange creative ideas, develop different sounds, and reach listeners who may not have previously encountered an artist’s music.

— Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
At least four flight attendants were injured when a United flight heading to Los Angeles encountered turbulence during descent on Wednesday night.

— Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of encounter

Verb

Senior lineman/tight end Zavion Brown has noticed Litke’s growth.

— Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
As petrified parents filed into the warehouse-like church nestled in a strip mall and took seats on folding chairs, Michelle noticed a woman near the front, sitting alone.

— Taylor Galgano, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of notice

Browse Nearby Words

catcalls

catch

catch-22

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Cite this Entry

Style

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

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noun

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Synonyms of catch

verb

noun

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Phrases Containing catch

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