PRIZE Synonyms: 299 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'prize' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of prize are booty , loot , plunder , spoils , and spoil . While all these words mean "something taken from another by force or craft," prize applies to spoils captured on the high seas or territorial waters of the enemy. // the wartime right of seizing prizes at sea

Q: Where would 'booty' be a reasonable alternative to 'prize'?

The meanings of booty and prize largely overlap; however, booty implies plunder to be shared among confederates. // thieves dividing up their booty

Q: When would 'loot' be a good substitute for 'prize'?

While the synonyms loot and prize are close in meaning, loot applies especially to what is taken from victims of a catastrophe. // picked through the ruins for loot

Q: When might 'plunder' be a better fit than 'prize'?

Although the words plunder and prize have much in common, plunder applies to what is taken not only in war but in robbery, banditry, grafting, or swindling. // a bootlegger's plunder

Q: How do 'spoil' and 'spoils' relate to one another, in the sense of 'prize'?

Spoil , more commonly spoils , applies to what belongs by right or custom to the victor in war or political contest. // the spoils of political victory

prize 1 of 4

noun

ˈprīz

Definition of prize

as in treasure

someone or something unusually desirable in the view of most of her friends, her current boyfriend is certainly no prize

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lemon
loser

as in award

something given in recognition of achievement the Pritzker Architecture Prize is the world's most prestigious honor in the field of architecture

Synonyms & Similar Words

prize

2 of 4

adjective

as in excellent

of the very best kind delighted to be guests at one of her prize dinner parties

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

prize

3 of 4

verb (1)

as in to pry

to draw out by force or with effort prizing the stubborn nails out of the board

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to pull

to raise, move, or pull apart with or as if with a lever trying to prize apart the jammed gears

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

join
connect

prize

4 of 4

verb (2)

as in to treasure

to hold dear veterinarians know that pets are highly prized by their owners

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun prize differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of prize are booty, loot, plunder, spoils, and spoil. While all these words mean "something taken from another by force or craft," prize applies to spoils captured on the high seas or territorial waters of the enemy.

the wartime right of seizing prizes at sea

Where would booty be a reasonable alternative to prize?

The meanings of booty and prize largely overlap; however, booty implies plunder to be shared among confederates.

thieves dividing up their booty

When would loot be a good substitute for prize?

While the synonyms loot and prize are close in meaning, loot applies especially to what is taken from victims of a catastrophe.

picked through the ruins for loot

When might plunder be a better fit than prize?

Although the words plunder and prize have much in common, plunder applies to what is taken not only in war but in robbery, banditry, grafting, or swindling.

a bootlegger's plunder

How do spoil and spoils relate to one another, in the sense of prize?

Spoil, more commonly spoils, applies to what belongs by right or custom to the victor in war or political contest.

the spoils of political victory

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 prize

Noun

Sophie was one of three generations of her family vying for the $250 first prize. — ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026 Scratch-off prizes expire one year after the game's end-sale date posted on the lottery's website. — Mike Darnay, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Verb

Beef tallow is rendered beef fat with a 400 degree Fahrenheit smoke point, prized for its rich flavor and now finding its way back into kitchens as cooks look past industrial seed oils. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2026 One study found that, while just under half of hiring managers looked for AI and related tech skills, nearly three quarters (73%) prized critical thinking/problem-solving, and 65% looked for adaptability/learning agility. — Reynald Fasciaux, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prize

Noun

Supporting this remarkable local treasure offers a rare chance to experience authentic culinary artistry from a true master.

— Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 21 Oct. 2026
There’s joy, there’s music, there’s magically regenerating food, trees that flower and fruit at the same time, piles of treasure, crystals that rain from the sky, everlasting happiness and health.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of treasure

Adjective

His 28-yard touchdown reception from Sam Darnold late in the second quarter beat Delane, who had excellent position.

— Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
The biggest key for the Brewers in this game is to see if their bullpen can keep their excellent pitching alive.

— OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of excellent

Verb

Sellers who have the option to pull their listing off the market are generally doing so.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Many voters thank him for pulling Serbia from economic obscurity and orchestrating a period of sustained modernisation including new highways, railways, schools and hospitals.

— Reuters, NBC news, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of pull

Verb

Engineering better working dogs Warhound plans to start with two breeds already valued for military and police work.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
Romo carved out new terrain at CBS Sports after revealing a knack for predicting game play — all but forcing CBS to re-sign the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback to a multi-season pact in 2020 valued at around $17 million a year.

— Brian Steinberg, Variety, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of value

Noun

With a captivating bank fraud mystery, and two irresistible love stories, Kleypas’ uniquely wise and witty novel is a gem.

— Monitor reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Oct. 2026
That is the heart of this gem of a company, which was performed for one night only Saturday at the Auditorium and marks the official kickoff to its season highlighting North American dance.

— Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of gem

Noun

Over the course of her long career, Curtis, 67, has developed a lengthy résumé in film and television, winning numerous accolades along the way, including an Oscar and an Emmy (she’s been nominated for a Grammy too — there’s still time for an EGOT).

— Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Women who've accepted their past mistakes aren't used to accepting accolades.

— Noel Brennan, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of accolade

Adjective

L3Harris claims its design can deliver greater range and speed than existing systems.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
Tarantino revealed the most personally meaningful piece of casting in a film filled with great performances — including supporting turns by multiple actors (Austin Butler, Mikey Madison, Sydney Sweeney) who have blown up in the seven years since.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of great

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privy

prize

prized

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Style

“Prize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prize. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of prize

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adjective

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