CATCHING Synonyms: 407 Similar and Opposite Words

catching 1 of 2

adjective

ˈka-chiŋ

Definition of catching

as in infectious

capable of being passed by physical contact from one person to another a cold is often catching before the symptoms even begin

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in spreading

exciting a similar feeling or reaction in others a catching smile that instantly puts patients at ease

Synonyms & Similar Words

catching

2 of 2

verb

present participle of catch

as in grabbing

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in getting

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in stopping

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in securing

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in knowing

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in tricking

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in encountering

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in noticing

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in chasing

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

falling short

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 catching

Adjective

In the snaps, Hemsworth can be seen catching waves alongside his twin sons, Sasha and Tristan, 12, as well as cliff jumping and spending time with some friends by the water. — Georgia Slater, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026 Christian Vázquez, who replaced Diaz in the lineup Monday, figures to take on primary catching duties while Diaz is out. — Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 4 May 2026

Verb

And that job is made all the more difficult when catching for two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, who holds himself and his teammates to very high standards. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026 Rushing’s injury could have suddenly put the Dodgers’ catching situation in a precarious position. — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for catching

Recent Examples of Synonyms for catching

Adjective

The atmosphere is infectious, attracting a discerning international crowd, yacht enthusiasts, fashion aficionados, and travelers who are seeking a blend of luxury and authenticity.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 July 2026
Vibrant animation, infectious energy, and a killer soundtrack make this a future cult favorite.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 2 July 2026

Definition of infectious

Verb

Americans are grabbing their passports and fleeing the country in hopes of leaving the nation’s problems behind.

— Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 2 July 2026
Swanson argues those behind-the-scenes improvements have done more to modernize logistics than many of the industry’s headline-grabbing automation projects.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 2 July 2026

Definition of grabbing

Verb

Farmer, who had a right forearm strain, went 2-for-20 with a home run at Columbus while getting reps at catcher.

— Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 5 July 2026
Reaching such a stage would be the third World Cup final in succession for France, after getting their hands on the trophy in 2018 and losing to Argentina last time around.

— Graham Ruthven, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of getting

Verb

Technology led to the suspect's arrest Officers obtained doorbell camera footage, which showed a silver SUV stopping along a curb on Majors Choice Drive.

— Adam Thompson, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Its compact size and functional interior and exterior pockets will make zipping through airport security or stopping for gas on road trips a breeze — no more digging through disorganized totes to locate your wallet and phone.

— Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026

Definition of stopping

Verb

In today's competitive job market, being seen by decision-makers is paramount for securing roles and fostering career growth.

— Colleen Batchelder, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
There are Americans who rely on them, and the lowest disruption way forward is to create a pathway to staying here while securing our southern border.

— David Weigel, semafor.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of securing

Verb

Marketing has always required senior-level judgment and knowing which levers to pull, why and when.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
This reportedly includes not giving guests many details about the wedding, with people invited instructed to arrive in New York, without knowing when and where the wedding will be.

— Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 2 July 2026

Definition of knowing

Verb

These fraudulent sites often mimic legitimate stores or rank high in search results, tricking desperate consumers into buying non-existent AC units.

— Steve Weisman, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
The schemes involve a predator pretending to be a teenager online and tricking victims into sending illicit photos of themselves.

— Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 17 June 2026

Definition of tricking

Verb

Here, Amer plays a fictional version of himself, a Palestinian refugee who is trying to get legal status while encountering personal and professional roadblocks at every turn.

— Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
Conditions can shift rapidly, even in summer, with climbers encountering ice, rockfall and limited visibility within hours.

— James Ward, USA Today, 2 July 2026