bag 1 of 2

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2
as in purse
a container for carrying money and small personal items she keeps her keys, phone, and wallet each in separate compartments in her bag so that she always knows where they are

Synonyms & Similar Words

bag

2 of 2

verb

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as in to leave
to give up (a job or office) if the supervisor says one more nasty thing to me, I'm going to bag this stupid job

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb bag contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of bag are capture, catch, ensnare, entrap, snare, and trap. While all these words mean "to come to possess or control by or as if by seizing," bag implies shooting down a fleeing or distant prey.

bagged a brace of pheasants

Where would capture be a reasonable alternative to bag?

The words capture and bag can be used in similar contexts, but capture suggests taking by overcoming resistance or difficulty.

capture an enemy stronghold

When is it sensible to use catch instead of bag?

While in some cases nearly identical to bag, 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 bag?

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 bag?

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 bag
Noun
As the leader of LVMH with a 48% stake in the business, his fortune is largely at the whim of whether consumers are buying up opulent products like Louis Vuitton bags, TAG Heuer watches, and Dom Perignon champagne. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025 Children of all ages can go trick-or-treating with goodie bags available at the Real Estate Brokers Association, 908 Kline St. La Jolla Light, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
Michael Kors Addie Medium Convertible Pouchette Crossbody Bag A signature logo-print Michael Kors bag for less than $100? Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2025 This extra-small leather crossbody bag has the same stylish look as larger Michael Kors bag, but in a more portable style. Christopher Murray May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bag
Noun
  • Louise Trotter for Bottega Veneta and her Intrecciato pouch with feathers woven into the weave was so elevated and chic.
    Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
  • The smallest is a simple 15-by-9-inch packing cube-like pouch with a handle.
    Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The innovative lineup features purses with knotted rope details, a bag shaped like a sailor collar and a laptop bag with magnetic closures that transforms into a pouch for evening.
    Alex Wynne, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2025
  • The total prize purse for the 2025 Chicago Marathon is $908,000, up from $890,000 in 2023 but down from $913,000 in 2024.
    Bette Canter, Sportico.com, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • With handbags seamlessly protruding from skirts, pantyhose covering stacks of massive bangles, doses of hot pink and big fur, the collection was made for social media consumption.
    Denni Hu, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Lucas and Simone had been tasked with holding and then removing a protruding piece of a forklift metal prong impaled in a construction worker’s abdomen.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In grabbing McNeeley in the same class as Knueppel, Sion James and Ryan Kalkbrenner, Charlotte wanted to infuse its roster with youthful players boasting an old school mentality.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 13 Oct. 2025
  • If her vibe is all about being cute yet comfy, grab the matching shorts for extra brownie points.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Glamour, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Vital witnesses were killed in the blast All 16 people inside the facility died in the blast, leaving behind a devastated network of coworkers and loved ones as well as depriving investigators of crucial accounts of the final moments leading up to the explosion.
    Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Most of those who shaped or even marginally influenced the events of October 7th are gone, leaving Gaza’s authority withered to the point that even managing the hostages has become paralyzingly difficult.
    Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Not only did his son create the groundbreaking and award-winning theater production, but the musical also shares a special connection to the beginnings of his relationship with his wife, Luz Towns-Miranda.
    Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Two-time All Pro linebacker James Harrison led a fierce Pittsburgh Steelers defense for years, winning Defensive Player of the Year in 2008.
    Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The starters in those games combined for 3 1/3 innings and 10 runs (six earned) allowed.
    Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Anyone who gets into that position has definitely earned it.
    Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The unit is on pace for 20 sacks this season.
    Matt Barrows, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2025
  • With 39 seconds left and the ball on the Chargers’ 41-yard line, the Dolphins’ defensive front swarmed Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert for what looked like a sack.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bag. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

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