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
The tennis phenom was invited by the Italian luxury house to curate her own selection of garments, bags, shoes, jewelry, and eyewear from Miu Miu’s Fall 2025 collection. Paul Chi, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025 The coat rolls up into a compact bag that doesn’t take up much luggage space and can be thrown in a bag to carry around for the day. Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
Still, Everton have bagged a potential superstar. Tim Spiers, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2025 Aguayo, a Martinez resident, was busted in 2023 with more than four pounds of cocaine, bagged up for sale, inside his home. Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 29 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bag
Noun
  • The lens ships with front and rear caps, a reversible hood with a push-button release for its bayonet lock, and a soft carrying pouch.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The soaps, for example, come in glass pumps but also with refillable pouches (made of tree-free paper and biodegradable).
    Esha Chhabra, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • So prepare to be impressed—and to make room in your purse for the best lip products of the year.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • These huge purse payouts attracted horses from all over the world.
    Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The display bezels are super thin at the top and on both sides, with Lenovo’s protruding upper-edge notch housing the webcam and other electronics.
    Mark Coppock, PC Magazine, 11 Sep. 2025
  • That is followed by a tabletop planetarium featuring images of planets beamed onto moving objects which magically protrude from it.
    Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Plus, grab knife sets and a nifty electric can opener to streamline your cooking.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2025
  • As Jey checked on Jimmy, LA Knight grabbed the steel chair and teased hitting Jey Uso.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • He was charged with felony counts of leaving the scene of crash involving death, driving without a license causing death and resisting arrest, the sheriff’s office said.
    Mark Price, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Investigators said that parties involved in the argument were leaving the indoor amusement park when Reed assaulted an employee, unprovoked, while making his way outside.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Razorbacks won the toss and will receive.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The founders of Ssense have won round one in their battle with their creditors, allowing the company to remain in the hands of chief executive officer Rami Atallah and his brothers Firas and Bassel, who are fighting to remain in business and restructure the company’s operations.
    Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The soap's sensual marketing theme earned mixed reactions on social media, with some users dubbing it a gimmick and questioning the item's cleanliness.
    Edward Segarra, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Hilleary earned more than $213,000 in 2024 as Rose’s chief of staff, similar to several years prior, House office financial disbursement forms show.
    David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Mizzou allowed four sacks on quarterback Beau Pribula in last week’s win.
    Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
  • On Friday, Philadelphia signed former Pro Bowl edge-rusher Za'Darius Smith, who logged 35 tackles, 17 QB hits, nine sacks, and nine tackles for loss last season with the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions.
    Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bag. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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