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as in to chase
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

catch

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noun

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as in hitch
a danger or difficulty that is hidden or not easily recognized the catch is that you have to come up with the money by tomorrow

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in haul
the total amount collected or obtained especially at one time the total catch for our day at the creek was six fish and a crab

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb catch contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of catch are bag, capture, ensnare, entrap, snare, and trap. While all these words mean "to come to possess or control by or as if by seizing," catch implies the seizing of something in motion or in flight or in hiding.

caught the dog as it ran by

Where would bag be a reasonable alternative to catch?

The words bag and catch are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bag implies shooting down a fleeing or distant prey.

bagged a brace of pheasants

When is capture a more appropriate choice than catch?

While the synonyms capture and catch are close in meaning, capture suggests taking by overcoming resistance or difficulty.

capture an enemy stronghold

How are the words entrap and ensnare related as synonyms of catch?

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 catch?

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 catch
Verb
Financial services leaders are thus caught in a paradox. Kathleen Walch, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025 Then, a group of about 10 other ICE agents, also in plain clothes, caught them off guard in the hallway. Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 22 May 2025
Noun
And there’s the catch: legacy data center networking technologies just aren’t optimized to support these demands. Manish Gulyani, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025 Off the coast of southern Japan, trawlers hauled in their nets and sifted through the catch. Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for catch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catch
Verb
  • In the morning, the restaurant doubles as a coffee shop where guests can grab drip coffee, fresh juices, and a small selection of hot and cold breakfast options, including the beloved Hawaiian classic, Loco Moco.
    Jalyn Robinson, Travel + Leisure, 25 May 2025
  • The colorful bar framed in bright neon lights is on the main concourse, so people walking by can grab a drink and head to the casino or other favorite activity, Allen said.
    Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 24 May 2025
Verb
  • Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 21 May 2025
  • Shares of the company got a little boost from the interest signaled by the poison pill and gained 3.2 percent to $23.51 in premarket trading on Tuesday.
    Evan Clark, Footwear News, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • The chase reportedly ended when Buckley wrecked near the intersection of Watts and McAlister streets, an area of mostly forest about 1 1/2 miles southeast of where Buckley was first stopped.
    Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 25 May 2025
  • The former analyst ends up becoming a critical new addition to the gang in their mission to stop the Entity from destroying the world.
    EW.com, EW.com, 24 May 2025
Verb
  • Objects that are outdoors should be secured and caution should be taken if driving.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 25 May 2025
  • While some of this Spring’s graduates have already secured employment, most are mass-applying for open positions.
    Sheila Callaham, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
Verb
  • Barnett is best known for his participation in the first season of Love Island USA, which premiered in 2019.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 20 May 2025
  • On May 9, a swarm of what are believed to be Africanized honey bees, also known as killer bees, attacked and killed three horses in Comanche, Texas, just about 50 miles southeast of Eastland.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • Life at the house seems more entertaining, but is that just a foolish fantasy designed to trick us into thinking that there is safe harbor somewhere?
    Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 19 May 2025
  • Their goal is to trick people into sharing their Medicare or Social Security number.
    Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • Related Stories 3 Killed, 5 Injured in Mass Stabbing at German Festival At Least 28 Injured in Possible Attack in Munich Ahead of World Leaders Meeting Germany has encountered a rise in knife crime in recent years.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 24 May 2025
  • Data cited in the administration’s motion show nearly a million family unit encounters at the southern border in each of the past two years.
    Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • Dempsey-Beggs’ boss noticed her nervousness and pulled her aside, asking what the alarm was.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 18 May 2025
  • He's also noticed that workers often shovel coal in bouts, working hard in teams of two or three, and then all taking breaks together.
    Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 18 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Catch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catch. Accessed 30 May. 2025.

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