as in imprisoned
taken and held prisoner
the captive soldiers were treated humanely by the guards
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in prisoner
one that has been taken and held in confinement
the captives in the concentration camp had devised a daring plan of escape
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 captive
Ed Simon
september 22, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
One of the strongest scenes in this episode is Maeve teaching the unknowing captive Sam how to swim.
—Grace Byron, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
On Friday, some of the hostage families said they were briefed by Israeli military officials that the operation could risk the captives’ lives.
—Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for captive
Adjective
The captive—and Cervantes—found something moving in those sonnets, something that gave them the will to hope.
—Ed Simon
september 22, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
One of the strongest scenes in this episode is Maeve teaching the unknowing captive Sam how to swim.
—Grace Byron, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
The proposal Hamas has accepted stipulates a temporary 60-day ceasefire, during which the Israeli army would relocate to allow the entry of humanitarian aid, while half of the 50 Israeli captives would be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners within the same time frame, Al-Jazeera reported.
—Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
On Friday, some of the hostage families said they were briefed by Israeli military officials that the operation could risk the captives’ lives.
—Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for captive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captive
prisoner
Noun
-
The plan proposes an immediate ceasefire, the return of all hostages, and the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
In return, Israel would halt its offensive and withdraw from much of the territory, release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and allow an influx of humanitarian aid and eventual reconstruction.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Captive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captive. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share