caught 1 of 2

Definition of caughtnext

caught

2 of 2

verb

past tense of catch
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as in chased
to move fast enough to get even with despite the suspect's considerable lead, the fleet-footed police officer was able to catch him and make an arrest

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 caught
Verb
Secure loose outdoor items and adjust plans as necessary so you're not caught outside. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 2 Apr. 2026 Heavily hit, the Dannebroge caught fire and then exploded. Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026 All of them caught the TPC San Antonio in benign conditions with very little wind, and morning rain that not only softened the course but led officials to allow for preferred lies. ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026 No one was hurt after two houses caught fire in Chicago's West Garfield Park neighborhood early Thursday. Adam Harrington, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026 Man with prior arrest caught trying to shove stranger into train tracks — twice in terrifying video. FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026 Callers reporting the crash said the vehicle had caught fire and the driver appeared to be trapped inside. Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026 His 2026 Lucid Gravity caught fire after the crash, and witnesses reported someone was trapped inside, according to police. Phil Helsel, NBC news, 2 Apr. 2026 Without getting into spoilers, much of the tension rests on whether certain protagonists get caught. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 2 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for caught
Adjective
  • His wife was pregnant with their second child.
    David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Several days later, his pregnant wife, Ruth, throws their toddler into the car and drops off the ransom, and Carl is returned home, more or less whole but emotionally damaged beyond repair.
    The Know, Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Shamet was fouled on the play and missed the and-one free throw, but second-year backup big man Ariel Hukporti grabbed the offensive rebound to create a second shot opportunity.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Walmart grabbed 23% of the market share last year, the same as in 2024.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Things became chippy in the second quarter when Denver backup center Zeke Nnaji, pressed into action due to the injuries, got into an altercation with De'Anthony Melton and Gary Payton II after Murray and LJ Cryer exchanged shoves.
    CBS News, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Arvidsson helped win the faceoff and got the puck back to McAvoy.
    Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • His words were underscored when police in Israel stopped Catholic leaders from celebrating a private Palm Sunday Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, built on the spot where Jesus was thought to have been crucified.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Right away, the Bruins allowed point-blank chances to Zach Werenski and Boone Jenner in the opening minutes that Swayman stopped.
    Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Among the latter group was Gabriel Prudhomme, who secured a tract of land along the south bank of the Missouri River that included a natural landing for boat traffic.
    Elijah Winkler, Kansas City Star, 29 Mar. 2026
  • The March 3 primary ended without a clear winner, sending Paxton and Cornyn into a late May runoff after neither secured a majority.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Jacir said many of those screenings opened eyes to a history many people never knew.
    Zach Dennis, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Badinter knew that debate-club arguments about deterrence and human-rights law and the possibility of judicial error would be ineffective.
    Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • After being tricked by Scarpia, Cavaradossi is hanged for treason.
    Courtney Lewis, Florida Times-Union, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Ever since the first caveman tricked his neighbor into trading a pile of rocks for some tasty mastodon steaks, con men have been persuading others to act against their own interests.
    Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • By trapping and levitating phonons in a vacuum with an optical tweezer, the researchers demonstrated the technology with the device, but also encountered noise issues.
    Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Officers encountered large groups of juveniles downtown on Sunday and responded to multiple fights, officials said.
    JT Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Caught.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caught. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

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