prize 1 of 4

prize

2 of 4

adjective

prize

3 of 4

verb (1)

1
2
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

prize

4 of 4

verb (2)

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
Any person winning $600 or more worth of prizes from a Sponsor in a calendar year will receive an IRS form 1099 after the end of the calendar year in which the prizes were awarded and copy of such form will be filed with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Jeff Spry, Space.com, 5 Nov. 2025 Also among those supporting the challengers are a large group of national security experts from previous Republican and Democratic administrations and a similarly diverse set of 44 economists on both the left and right, including four Nobel prize winners. Nina Totenberg, NPR, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
This presents an untapped opportunity for African nations to monetize their mature forests and pristine wetlands, which are particularly prized for carbon capture. Charlie Campbell, Time, 30 Oct. 2025 Thompson; Hoss adds a blaze-of-glory brio to Eileen’s downfall; Thompson; a visual palette that prizes both old-school glamour and pomo maximalism; and Thompson. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prize
Noun
  • Brendan Fraser played the dashing hero Rick O’Connell, a treasure hunter and former Captain of the French Foreign Legion.
    Andrew Walsh, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Nov. 2025
  • In the film, little Rory needs to save her father who’s disappeared on a treasure quest during an unfortunate encounter with a dragon.
    Marta Balaga, Variety, 8 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The district board is set to adopt its 2025-26 grant award list at its regular meeting Tuesday.
    Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Durant is one of just five players to win consecutive Finals MVP awards, alongside Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.
    Jordy Fee-Platt, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Thus far, Arsenal’s excellent form has relegated the injuries to a subplot.
    James McNicholas, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
  • The carbon nanofiber provides mechanical stability, abundant pore channels, and excellent electrolyte wettability, while the cobalt sites catalyze the adsorption and conversion of polysulfides.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Choudhary, a collector of contemporary art as well as Indian artifacts, considered a career in hospitality before he was seduced by the gems his family has traded for centuries.
    Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Orio Extending from the coast, over the mountains, and then dropping into a valley anchored by a river, Orio is a beloved gem in the Basque Country.
    Michelle Arellano Martin, Travel + Leisure, 9 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • But beyond the wins, losses and accolades, there was the man who remained in his players’ lives, through good times and tough times.
    Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
  • The singer delivered a pulsating rendition of the record paired with slick choreography and a crew of dancers in a warehouse for the set that marks her latest accolade, being named Global Push Artist for November.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • WeRide is a member of this year’s Future 50, Fortune’s annual ranking of companies with the greatest potential for growth.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
  • After looking over the latest update from Jim Bowden, the odds of Bregman staying with the Red Sox are not looking too great currently.
    Drew VonScio, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The content creator dressed in a stunning array of jewels, a chain-style seashell dress from Paco Rabanne retailing for nearly $4,000, and a metallic purse.
    Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
  • The cash, gold, jewels, and crypto are all ready.
    Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The Christos honored their promise by gifting me with a wonderful collage in addition to my one-dollar paycheck.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
  • That scene was so incredibly awkward… and wonderful.
    Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Nov. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prize. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.

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