1
as in to grab
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly
we tried to catch the kitten before she could sneak out the door
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to get
to become affected with (a disease or disorder)
you'll catch the flu for sure if you don't get a shot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to stop
to bring (something) to a standstill
I caught myself just as I was about to step into the freshly poured concrete
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to secure
to put securely in place or in a desired position
caught back her hair with a barrette
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5
as in to know
to have a clear idea of
I didn't catch the point you were making about our nation's foreign policy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to trick
to cause to believe what is untrue
a number of media outlets were caught by the woman's hard-luck story
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in to encounter
to come upon face-to-face or as if face-to-face
I'll catch you at the library tomorrow
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in to notice
to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes
I looked out the window just in time to catch the neighbor's dog digging up my flower bed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
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
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1
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
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2
as in prize
someone or something unusually desirable
everyone thought the captain of the football team was a real catch
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3
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
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of catch
Jessica Wang, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Oct. 2025
According to the Nelsons’ complaint, the vehicle caught fire during or after the collision.
—David Chiu, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
As an undrafted playmaker, Coker collected 32 catches for 478 yards and two touchdowns in 2024.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for catch
Verb
The actress and singer appeared to be caught off guard during Monday's episode of Today after interviewer Melvin bluntly noted that the filming the movie coincided with the finalization of her divorce from Ben Affleck, who executive-produced the musical, earlier this year.
—Jessica Wang, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Oct. 2025
According to the Nelsons’ complaint, the vehicle caught fire during or after the collision.
—David Chiu, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
Aside from Pickens, all other Cowboys receivers four catches or fewer and only Jalen Tolbert had more than 30 yards.
—Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
As an undrafted playmaker, Coker collected 32 catches for 478 yards and two touchdowns in 2024.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for catch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catch
Verb
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The ball popped up in the air and Bolton was there to grab it, except he was hit by teammate Drue Tranquill.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
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Sasaki was the necessary answer on Monday night, coming in to secure the final out and avoid disaster as Freddie Freeman sprawled out to grab Tommy Edman’s final throw to first base.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The goal is to get a congress of 15, with at least eight members coming from Cincinnati's homeless shelters and seven representing people who live outdoors or in temporary housing.—
Elizabeth B. Kim,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Oct. 2025
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Jonathan Taylor got the three touchdowns but was hardly explosive on a down-to-down basis.—
Michael Salfino,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The trend shows no signs of stopping.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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To help stop the spread, wash your hands, avoid sick areas, and report symptoms quickly.—
Jenna Anderson,
Health,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The substitute ordinance is separate from the process of voting on Johnson's budget, though passage of the ordinance is key to securing the revenue the mayor seeks in his city tax and spending proposal.—
Vanessa Swales,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
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On Boxing Day in 2023, St James’ Park provided the stage for Nuno Espirito Santo to secure a landmark moment early in his tenure.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The next manager will be their sixth in nine seasons — enough for any sensible person to know that the problem extends far beyond that chair.—
Sam Blum,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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Horror fans often travel to destinations featured in scary movies or known for spooky legacies.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But in addition to his reputation as a womanizer, Casanova was also a con man, a skilled liar who came from a family of actors and who over the course of his life manipulated and tricked countless people to maintain wealth and status.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
6 Oct. 2025
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Malware has evolved to target macOS more aggressively than ever and many attacks now rely on tricking users rather than breaking through security software.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Phillies play reliever roulette Righty David Robertson entered when Cristopher Sánchez encountered trouble in the sixth, putting away pinch hitter Max Muncy, a lefty batter.—
Charlotte Varnes,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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There he was flabbergasted to discover video footage of a woman wearing a dark Balenciaga sack dress on the streets of Paris in the ’50s, encountering curiosity and visible scorn.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In August, a single-engine Piper PA-28 crash landed on southbound Interstate 805 in Sorrento Valley after the pilot noticed the engine was sputtering and losing power.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Sep. 2025
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For almost the entire bloated two-hour run time, Black keeps his foot on the accelerator in the hope that audiences won’t notice the haphazard, barely logical plotting.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Catch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catch. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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