as in imprisoned
taken and held prisoner
the captive soldiers were treated humanely by the guards
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of captive
Mark Gray, People.com, 18 July 2025
Applications to adopt a captive desert tortoise are open year round, and more information can be found on the state agency’s website.
—John Leos, AZCentral.com, 18 July 2025
Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
The Kremlin has not commented on the number of Russian captives returned.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for captive
Adjective
Reports at the time indicated the girl was kidnapped while walking home from school and was soon after held captive in a remote location.
—Mark Gray, People.com, 18 July 2025
Applications to adopt a captive desert tortoise are open year round, and more information can be found on the state agency’s website.
—John Leos, AZCentral.com, 18 July 2025
Noun
However, a statement to Newsweek by the Foley Foundation, which advocates for captives held overseas, named four of the U.S. nationals who had been held for months in the South American country.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
The Kremlin has not commented on the number of Russian captives returned.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for captive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captive
prisoner
Noun
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As the blaze continued its advance on Saturday, all 179 prisoners were evacuated from Rifle Correctional Center in Garfield County, state authorities said.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
11 Aug. 2025
-
Julia swears that she can’t be held as a prisoner, but Lord Lovat (Tony Curran), also known as Simon Fraser, quickly puts this feisty woman in her place.—
Lincee Ray Published,
EW.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Captive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captive. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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