Definition of bagnext
1
2
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

1
2
3
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

4
5

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
And maybe, just maybe, a day when UCF fans are packing the Bounce House for a home playoff game instead of packing their bags for a forgettable Weed Whacker Bowl trip to Shreveport. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Nov. 2026 The airline has been known for offering low fares to passengers willing to pay extra for things like snacks and carry-on bags and willing to forgo perks like in-flight Wi-Fi and television screens. — Emma Hurt, AJC.com, 10 Nov. 2026
Verb
For a price tag under $30 and all these features, this sale is one of the best times to bag the Vibe Beam buds. — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026 Feature spinoff of the helmer’s short film of the same name, which bagged best short at the Lithuanian Film Awards 2014. — Annika Pham, Variety, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bag
Noun
  • The compact pouch is designed to hold small essentials against your body, and its soft, breathable, skin-friendly fabric is a thoughtful detail for warmer destinations where extra layers aren’t practical.
    — Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Inside a reusable dopp kit pouch come 14 luxe cologne samples from designers like Prada, Versace, and Valentino.
    — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 5 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • But the power of the purse would be in Tallahassee, close to the Georgia state line and much too far from local voters.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The main leverage Congress will have is the power of the purse, Croft said.
    — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Wire-thin cables protruding from the implant exit Pancho’s skull through the coin-sized opening.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Once fished to the brink of extinction globally, sand tiger sharks, that iconic aquarium shark with a jaw of protruding, jagged teeth that only a mother could love, have been increasing in the Boston Harbor over the last decade.
    — Asia London Palomba, Christian Science Monitor, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • In a separate incident Sunday, Basabe flagged down police to report that a parking garage employee grabbed and threw his phone to the ground, the report shows.
    — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Testing spoons stored in a manner where lip contact surface contamination could happen when employee grabs the spoon from container.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Lombardo declined to participate in an October candidate forum hosted by KUNR Public Radio, leaving Ford to appear alone.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune Republican candidate for governor Darren Bailey leaves the home of supporter Pam Carr Hagerman for more campaigning in West Dundee on July 22, 2022.
    — Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Newsom won his 2018 gubernatorial primary with the help of the California Nurses Assn.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Now a tax cut, which puts India on par with several Asian markets, is being proposed to win back these investors.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Since interim head coach Ryan Richter took over during the World Cup break, Philadelphia earned 43 of a possible 57 points while outscoring opponents 48-22 during that span.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
  • For many prospective students, cost is no longer an automatic barrier to earning a two-year degree or beginning a path toward a bachelor’s degree.
    — Editorial, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Sweat had three quarterback hits, a sack and a tackle for a loss.
    — Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The two have combined for 236½ sacks during careers that are expected to land both in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
    — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bag. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

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