Synonyms of bag

bag 1 of 2

noun

ˈbag 

1

as in pouch

a container made of a flexible material (as paper or plastic)

she carries her towel and other supplies to the beach in a bright, colorful bag slung over her arm

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pouch
• sack
• backpack
• package
• purse
• wallet
• packet
• carryall
• tote
• satchel
• bundle
• pack
• knapsack
• rucksack
• poke
• handbag
• haversack
• portmanteau
• duffel bag
• traveling bag
• tote bag
• pocketbook
• parcel
• garment bag
• shopping bag
• barracks bag
• kit bag
• flight bag
• ditty bag
• work bag

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

• purse
• wallet
• handbag
• pocketbook
• pouch
• clutch
• minaudière
• billfold
• sack
• vanity
• compact
• clutch bag
• shoulder bag
• poke

bag

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to protrude

to extend outward beyond a usual point

the shirt bagged at the waist

Synonyms & Similar Words

• protrude
• poke
• pouch
• bulge
• stand out
• bunch
• project
• swell
• balloon
• stick out
• overhang
• pout
• jut
• beetle
• pooch
• billow
• belly
• dome
• start
• extend
• inflate
• stretch
• mushroom
• lengthen
• dilate
• snowball
• expand
• distend
• blow up
• elongate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• contract
• shrink
• compress
• condense
• constrict

2

as in to grab

to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly

bagged a deer while hunting last weekend

Synonyms & Similar Words

• grab
• catch
• snatch
• trap
• capture
• seize
• land
• get
• snag
• hook
• collar
• snare
• net
• nab
• take hold (of)
• corral
• cop
• snap (up)
• nail
• grapple
• clutch
• rap
• rope
• glove
• hold
• nobble
• glom
• fist
• grip
• grasp
• arrest
• clasp
• bay
• secure
• mesh
• corner
• lasso
• detain
• apprehend
• latch (on or onto)
• halter
• kidnap
• fasten (on)
• rend
• spirit (away or off)
• abduct
• entrap
• ensnare
• wrest
• entangle
• immesh
• enmesh

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• miss
• release
• discharge
• free
• drop
• liberate
• loosen
• unhand

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

• leave
• quit
• chuck
• give notice
• retire (from)
• resign (from)
• step down (from)
• abandon
• step aside (from)
• vacate
• drop out (of)
• throw up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stay (at)
• keep
• join
• hire (out)
• sign on (for)

4

as in to win

to obtain (as a goal) through effort

bagged a full fellowship at one of the nation's leading universities

Synonyms & Similar Words

• win
• achieve
• attain
• gain
• make
• score
• obtain
• hit
• get
• log
• garner
• secure
• land
• carry
• capture
• chalk up
• rack up
• ring up
• acquire
• clock (up)
• notch (up)
• tie
• realize
• draw
• procure
• match
• approach
• amount (to)
• excel
• top
• touch
• measure up (to)
• equal
• meet
• rival
• surpass
• beat
• outdo

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• miss
• fail (at)
• lose
• fall short (of)

5

as in to earn

to receive as return for effort

bagged an acting nomination for a truly inspired performance

Synonyms & Similar Words

• win
• earn
• reap
• gain
• make
• get
• garner
• land
• obtain
• carry
• secure
• capture
• realize
• attain
• acquire
• procure
• draw
• bring in
• pull down
• come by
• achieve
• knock down
• score
• net
• gross
• accumulate
• accomplish
• occupy
• amass
• annex
• catch
• rack up
• take over
• pick up
• clear
• notch (up)
• regain
• remake
• recapture
• reacquire
• reattain

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lose
• pay
• forfeit
• give
• grant
• yield
• accord
• surrender
• give up
• part (with)
• relinquish
• hand over

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

Recent Examples of bag

Noun

The fact is the cat is already out of the bag — every country has AI. —Anand Rao, Fortune, 16 Aug. 2025

The colorful gremlins were often paired with bag charms, Trendalytics said saw 247 percent growth year-over-year. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 15 Aug. 2025

Verb

In a political era gone by, that state representative bagged for drunken driving on Beacon Hill the other day — or night — might have gotten a break. —Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 31 July 2025

The nest was then bagged as radiological waste, the report said. —Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 31 July 2025

Phrases Containing bag

• grab bag
• in the bag
• kit bag
• let the cat out of the bag (about)
• mixed bag
• traveling bag