Definition of bagnext
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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
Made of water-repellent nylon, the bag features a top handle and removable crossbody strap, tons of pouches and compartments for organization, and a padded laptop pocket. Rosie Jarman, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2026 Founded in the 1870's by German-Jewish immigrant Jacob Elsas, the mill produced feed sacks, cotton bags and later textiles. Brian Unger, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
Verb
Infectious-disease experts aren’t giving up fruits and vegetables during the outbreak of cyclospora illness, but some are temporarily avoiding iceberg lettuce and bagged or shredded lettuce. Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 3 Aug. 2026 As implied, Ferran didn’t feature in the 2-2 friendly draw in England, where young Egyptian hopeful Hamza Abdelkarim bagged both of the Blaugrana’s goals. Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bag
Noun
  • On the other hand, young people’s use of nicotine pouches – small pouches that are placed between the lip and gum and are available in different flavors and strengths – has risen over the past five years.
    Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, The Conversation, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Hairy-nosed wombat births are hard to spot, as after about a 30-day pregnancy, the joey crawls into its mother’s pouch.
    Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 16 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Panthea takes the opportunity to bring Amanda her purse and try to bury the hatchet and, strangely, this is the only moment that Amanda really raises her voice.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Coles was last seen near 81st and Vernon in the Chatham neighborhood, according to her family, who said her car was found parked on her block, with her cell phone and purse still inside.
    Todd Feurer, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Tropical Hibiscus Tropical hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), as the name suggests, is native to tropical climates in Asia and produces dramatic, vibrant flowers that can grow up to 6 inches in diameter with protruding stamens.
    Shelby Vittek, The Spruce, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Akhenaten, who may have been the boy-king’s father, was depicted in artwork as having wide hips and a protruding belly, which stood out from portraits of other Egyptian royalty.
    Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 12 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • After grabbing an early 83-81 lead in overtime, the Dream gave up eight straight points to the Fever, who never lost the lead in overtime again, although the Dream got within two points, 93-91, with 10 seconds left.
    Micahya Costen, AJC.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The little breaths, the cloth grabs and punches were all deliberate.
    Simon Thompson, HollywoodReporter, 17 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • WireImage Three days after Jeongyeon became the first TWICE member to leave JYP Entertainment in the group’s eleven-year history, Chaeyoung has announced her own departure.
    Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Authorities are searching for the driver of a van who struck a man in a wheelchair in Dania Beach and fled the scene, leaving the victim injured and his wheelchair damaged.
    Abby Dodge, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • In the last few years, Penn State’s singular focus – to win a national championship – clouded everything else.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The club was rebuilding after the 1958 Munich air disaster but won a first post-Munich trophy, the FA Cup, earlier that year.
    Andy Mitten, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Buffalo’s synthetic turf earned an F grade from Bills players in the NFLPA’s annual report card last year.
    Tim Graham, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Backstage, Tommaso Ciampa says this year’s Casino Gauntlet has the biggest stakes since the winner earns a chance at the AEW World Championship.
    Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Last season, Miller recorded nine sacks in 17 games with the Washington Commanders.
    Johnny Resendiz, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Last season, the Cowboys had just 31 sacks, which was in the bottom third of the league.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bag. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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