Synonyms of captive

captive 1 of 2

adjective

ˈkap-tiv 

as in imprisoned

taken and held prisoner

the captive soldiers were treated humanely by the guards

Synonyms & Similar Words

• imprisoned
• arrested
• captured
• jailed
• interned
• incarcerated
• confined
• kidnapped
• enslaved
• caught
• trapped
• behind bars
• apprehended
• bound
• abducted
• indentured
• occupied
• subdued
• subjugated
• ensnared

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• free
• unrestrained
• unconfined
• released
• liberated
• freed
• emancipated
• delivered
• paroled
• enfranchised

captive

2 of 2

noun

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

• prisoner
• capture
• internee
• convict
• jailbird
• arrestee
• abductee
• coprisoner
• kidnappee

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• guard
• captor
• guardian
• keeper
• warden
• marshal
• custodian
• jailer
• kidnapper
• abductor

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of captive

Adjective

The agency believes the animals were likely captive and escaped or were released. — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 11 July 2026

Indeed, woolly mammoth de-extinction efforts have already spun off discoveries that may help protect captive Asian elephants from a deadly herpes virus. — Taylor Dotson, Scientific American, 10 July 2026

Noun

From France’s port cities, dozens of ships sailed for Africa every year, where merchants purchased human captives to be sold in the colonies. — Jeremy D. Popkin, The Conversation, 28 May 2026

But no need to worry—the clever teen isn’t exploiting the toil of a joyless captive. — Jennifer Byrne, Popular Science, 27 May 2026