1
as in netting
a fabric made of strands loosely twisted, knotted, or woven together at regular intervals
the basketball didn't go into the basket—it just hit the net
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in trap
a device or scheme for capturing another by surprise
drug runners caught in an elaborate net set by the police
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in profit
the amount of money left when expenses are subtracted from the total amount received
his net for the year was about 60% of his total income
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in root
the central part or aspect of something under consideration
the net of the report on race relations is that things are better but not good enough
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to trap
to catch or hold as if in a net
the kite was stubbornly netted in the branches of the willow tree
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to grab
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly
a police sting that netted drug dealers from all parts of the city
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 net
Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 9 June 2026
Speakers at the rally Tuesday said the closure is forcing patients to travel farther for emergency care, and putting more pressure on other safety-net hospitals.
—Darius Johnson, CBS News, 9 June 2026
Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 8 June 2026
Encircle your plant with a barrier such as hardware cloth or stakes and netting to prevent browsing.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for net
Noun
Meanwhile, sophomore Meredith Horlbeck (assist) eclipsed 100 career points, while her twin sister Elsie surpassed 100 saves on the season in net.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 9 June 2026
Speakers at the rally Tuesday said the closure is forcing patients to travel farther for emergency care, and putting more pressure on other safety-net hospitals.
—Darius Johnson, CBS News, 9 June 2026
Verb
After netting a Golden Globe nomination for her film debut in 1978's Corvette Summer, Annie Potts joined the cast of Ghostbusters, played the ultimate Cool Girl record store clerk in Pretty in Pink (1986), and essayed her most iconic role as barbed single-mother Mary Jo Shively on Designing Women.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 8 June 2026
Encircle your plant with a barrier such as hardware cloth or stakes and netting to prevent browsing.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for net
Recent Examples of Synonyms for net
Noun
-
Using physical barriers such as chicken wire, garden netting, wire cloches, and more can protect your fruits, veggies, and plants from hungry squirrels.—
Molly Burford,
Southern Living,
6 June 2026
-
His heart and hope lie inside a grey warehouse a few miles from Highway 34 in Weld County, his heaven a canvas of black netting and neon-green paint.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
If that’s true, Rajoub had set a trap.—
Chris Jones,
The Atlantic,
7 June 2026
-
That changed rapidly as Argentina flew out of the traps and picked apart their jaded opponents, going 2-0 up after 36 minutes, with the first goal a Messi penalty.—
Will Jeanes,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
Noun
-
Arte’s Franco-Iranian web series Happiness has won the audience award at Seriencamp, while the Cologne fest has reported record attendance.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
12 June 2026
-
Walken brings his signature idiosyncratic charm to his portrayal of Frank, whose motivations make for a fascinating web of contradictions.—
Eric Farwell,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
With everything included in a single profit pool, Lore claims, the prices are less expensive because the margins don’t need to support both restaurants and delivery companies.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
10 June 2026
-
Investigators allege renovation bosses used flammable scaffolding netting and foam boards, obstructed escape routes and falsified oversight records, putting profit over safety in the Wang Fuk Court housing complex.—
Kanis Leung,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
The 36-year-old entrepreneur from Stanford, Connecticut, moved to Mexico City last year to reconnect with the roots of his late grandparents.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
12 June 2026
-
Jason Momoa, who was born in Hawaii, was photographed helping Lola arrange traditional colorful Hawaiian garlands, the leis, a tribute to her roots.—
Monica Coviello,
Vanity Fair,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Jellyfish and jellyfish larvae sometimes get tangled in the seaweed, and their tentacles can really hurt and cause severe skin irritation, rashes and blisters.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
12 June 2026
-
Instead, both hesitated, their feet tangled and a charging Healy banged in the loose ball.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
There’s plenty to see and do on this one street—stop by Colonial Park Cemetery, established in 1750; the Juliet Gordon Low Birthplace Museum, honoring the founder of the Girl Scouts; then grab a bite at Marbled & Fin, where luxe appetizers and aged steaks reign supreme.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 June 2026
-
After Corbin made his introduction to the Islanders as a whole back at the fire pit, Melanie was the first to grab him for a chat.—
Carolyn Burt,
Oc Register,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Take control of your money with CNBC Select CNBC Select is editorially independent and may earn a commission from affiliate partners on links.—
Gili Malinsky,
CNBC,
12 June 2026
-
For example, Walmart’s top-performing regional managers can earn up to $620,000 annually; corporate positions are also an option.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Net.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/net. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
