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
Despite the manufacturing challenges and tariff pressures in China — where the bags are made — Mueller is determined to keep Très Gelée accessible. Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2025 Reviewers appreciate that the lightweight and stylish duffle makes a great carry-on bag. Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
To stake his claim to be considered for a F1 seat at any team, the 20-year-old would increase his odds by bagging the F2 title. Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025 Wright put himself in the mix by getting on the end of both Roldan services and bagging a brace on a 33rd-minute near-post finish with the outside of his right foot, then a cutback and left-footed curler to the far post. Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bag
Noun
  • This gift set gets includes a charging dock, charging cable and travel pouch.
    Tim Chan, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The brand's weekender has a separate shoe compartment and an electronics section with a padded laptop sleeve, as well as slots, pouches, and pockets for cords, a power bank, and other travel essentials.
    Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • There’s also some epic deals on jewelry and designer bags, including a best-selling Kendra Scott necklace, this leather Kate Spade bag, or this gorgeous Coach purse.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Snag this bag at Quince today, and keep scrolling to shop more popular purses below.
    Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • To add to the hilarity, one of the dachshunds appeared to have chewed through a couch cushion and somehow gotten stuck inside it, with its head and legs filmed protruding through the torn fabric.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
  • The early word was that the protruding pair was a customized version of Adidas Adistar Cushion 3 sneakers made specifically for Williams.
    Riley Jones, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • However, Cena outsmarted him by grabbing the chair, throwing it next to Dom, and pretending to be down on the mat.
    Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025
  • Security camera footage from a nearby apartment complex showed the naked man walking across the street prior to the incident, seemingly talking to himself and grabbing a sign, per NBC 4.
    Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Please leave any feedback or corrections for this story here.
    USA TODAY Network, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Nov. 2025
  • Enrollment reached a 30-year low last year at 894 students, leaving more than 200 vacant seats at the school as inflation drives up costs.
    Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 12 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Cardell Williams completed 8 of 11 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns to speedster Ernest Campbell as the Hornets won for the sixth time in their last eight outings with two conference games to go.
    Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Mike Vrabel has breathed life into the New England Patriots, guiding them to a 7-2 start while riding a six-game winning streak despite fielding a roster that still has its fair share of deficiencies.
    Mike Jones, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • With their four nominations, HUNTR/X becomes the first K-pop girl group to earn Grammy nominations, and one of two acts (alongside ROSÉ of Blackpink) to earn nominations in the same year, another first for the genre.
    Stephen Daw, Billboard, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Brown and Harbour have earned two Emmy noms each, with Harbour and Ryder also garnering Golden Globe nods.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Moro Ojomo leads the defense with four sacks, with Andrew Mukuba snaring two interceptions.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025
  • McCarthy has thrown six interceptions, fumbled four times and taken 15 sacks in the first four starts of his career.
    Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bag. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.

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