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 fact is the cat is already out of the bag — every country has AI. Anand Rao, Fortune, 16 Aug. 2025 The colorful gremlins were often paired with bag charms, Trendalytics said saw 247 percent growth year-over-year. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
The previous record for the most expensive handbag was set by a diamond and crocodile Kelly bag at $513,040. Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 10 July 2025 First Person in Line was having a spirited conversation while her purchases were wrapped and bagged. Judith Martin, Mercury News, 18 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for bag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bag
Noun
  • Store it in a 92-gram foil pouch, so it can be easily sucked by starving infants on the front line.
    Alex Christian, Wired News, 4 Aug. 2025
  • These versatile pouches fit easily into any backpack or on the side of the All Haula Cooler.
    Ronny Maye, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
Noun
  • The woman had two winning tickets in her purse and decided to go inside the station and cash them, officials said.
    Paloma Chavez, Miami Herald, 12 Aug. 2025
  • Forget that your Gucci purse will never again suffer smudges from hands soiled by oil or gasoline.
    Mark Phelan, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Tung’s front layers were slicked across the right side of her forehead and brushed behind her ear; her short ends protruded out underneath.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 30 July 2025
  • In person the tremendous symmetry of her face was startling; her cheekbones protruded, and her eyes were far apart.
    Darcey Steinke, Vogue, 27 July 2025
Verb
  • But Sunday, unfortunately for him, slipped away quickly as World No. 1 grabbed his fifth season title.
    Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
  • Four prisoners had to take turns using a bunk bed just to grab a few hours of sleep.
    Michael Collins, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Enzo Maresca’s ominous words in his press conference at Cobham on Thursday left little room to avoid the conclusion that Colwill had suffered a significant injury.
    Liam Twomey, New York Times, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Where are opportunities left untouched simply due to a lack of capacity?
    Scott Brighton, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Hang won bronze on vault at the Pan American Games and looks to capitalize on her strong block and execution.
    Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Having won all six of his races across three Grand Slam Track meets between April and June, Bednarek was crowned Racer of the Year in the inaugural season of the league launched by sprinting great Michael Johnson.
    Coy Wire, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Those students could earn $55,000 while taking classes for their master’s degrees and working in the field under mentors at MPS.
    Rory Linnane, jsonline.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Mason Miller, the marquee acquisition at last week’s trade deadline, mixed a two-out walk among his three strikeouts in the bottom of the ninth to earn his first save with the Padres.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • And the turnover came at the end of a drive that also included two sacks, one each by Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux, and a Robinson drop.
    Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 4 Aug. 2025
  • Parsons hits the trade block with 256 tackles and 52.5 sacks.
    Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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