Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

captive

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of captive

taken and held prisoner
  • the captive soldiers were treated humanely by the guards
Synonyms of captive

apprehended, arrested, captured, caught, confined, imprisoned, incarcerated, interned, jailed
Words Related to captive

bound, enslaved, indentured

ensnared, trapped

abducted, kidnapped (also kidnaped)

subdued, subjugated

occupied
Phrases Synonymous with captive

behind bars
Near Antonyms of captive

unconfined, unrestrained

delivered, emancipated, enfranchised, freed, liberated, paroled, released
Antonyms of captive

free

captive

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of captive

one that has been taken and held in confinement
  • the captives in the concentration camp had devised a daring plan of escape
Synonyms of captive

capture, internee, prisoner
Words Related to captive

coprisoner

convict, jailbird

arrestee

abductee, kidnappee (or kidnapee)
Near Antonyms of captive

custodian, guard, guardian, jailer (also jailor), keeper, marshal (also marshall), warden

abductor, kidnapper (also kidnaper)
Antonyms of captive

captor

Learn More about captive

  1. Dictionary: Definition of captive Spanish Central: Translation of captive Nglish: Translation of captive for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of captive for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up captive? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

cumulate

to gather or build up little by little

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. cache BuzzFeed reports on Trump-Cohen documents.

  2. intransigence, intransigent Trump cancels Davos trip.

  3. white supremacist Steve King discusses views.

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games