prize 1 of 4

Definition of prizenext

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

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

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

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
There will be arts and crafts, photos with the spring bunny, prizes, games and more. Pomerado News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026 This office can cash prizes of any amount. Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
All lottery prizes over $5,000 are subject to state and federal taxes. Garrett Behanna, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026 Baking is essentially the world’s most delicious chemical reaction, and buttermilk is prized for how its acidity interacts with alkaline leaveners like baking soda. Emily Saladino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prize
Noun
  • The spa The 57-foot-long underground pool is a treasure.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Apr. 2026
  • This Italian city has innumerable artistic treasures, these 25 paintings among them.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • To the extent permitted by applicable law, all judgments or awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket damages (excluding attorneys’ fees) associated with participation in this Promotion and shall not include any indirect, punitive, incidental and/or consequential damages.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Mike Kaye and Alex Zietlow break down these questions and more in the latest episode of Processing Blue, an award-winning podcast about all things Panthers.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Apple has somehow emerged from the global hardware shortage as a value buy, with its MacBook Neo offering an excellent modern computing experience for a mere $600.
    Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Harbor locals should boast that one of the county’s singularly excellent pizzerias is in their backyard.
    Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The space reminded me of Soma Winery, another South Main gem.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Since the Coco days, and well through Lagerfeld, Chanel has been known for piling on the gems and jewels.
    Christina Holevas, Vogue, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The three-time MVP cannot miss two more games, or he’ll be disqualified for individual accolades such as MVP and All-NBA teams.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2026
  • No higher accolade can one enforcement officer pay to another.
    Dave Duffey, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • But simply naming the great fear and sharing it with the millions of watchers in living rooms and hotels and airport lobbies was a trial almost too painful to contemplate.
    Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
  • No substitutions for prize except by Sponsor, in which case a prize of equal or greater value will be substituted.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Those jewels are still missing.
    Nick Mafi, Architectural Digest, 2 Apr. 2026
  • After watching the catch of the day come in, head to the neighboring Umi no Ichi food and shopping hall to grab a bowl of sea-to-table kaisendon—slices of sashimi, jewel-like roe, and other oceanic delights, served atop a bed of rice.
    Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The teams got invaluable data — and some wonderful video too.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Books Are Magic, a wonderful bookshop owned by novelist Emma Staub, alone could suck up an entire morning.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on prize

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster