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
Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 14 Oct. 2025
Reason to hope As a result of their rarity from the 1950s to 1980s, scientists – including myself – believed that any flamingos sighted intermittently around Florida were not wild birds but rather escapees from captive populations.
—Jerome Lorenz, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2025
Michael Collins, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
The captives were forced to their knees before being shot from behind as dozens of bystanders looked on.
—Barney Henderson, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for captive
Adjective
The guns are quiet, the 20 living hostages held captive by Hamas terrorists are home, and world leaders gathered in Egypt to develop a vision for governing and rebuilding Gaza going forward.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 14 Oct. 2025
Reason to hope As a result of their rarity from the 1950s to 1980s, scientists – including myself – believed that any flamingos sighted intermittently around Florida were not wild birds but rather escapees from captive populations.
—Jerome Lorenz, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
Snipers targeted inmates holding captives on the catwalks.
—Michael Collins, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
The captives were forced to their knees before being shot from behind as dozens of bystanders looked on.
—Barney Henderson, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for captive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captive
Adjective
-
Trump’s decision to commute Santos’ sentence came after multiple friends and allies of the imprisoned ex-politician made appeals for his clemency, a senior White House official told NBC News on Friday evening.—
Kevin Breuninger,
CNBC,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Netanyahu was able to get the first phase of the deal through, including the return of the hostages in Gaza in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners and detainees.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
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In the deal's first phase, Hamas released the last 20 living Israel hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Captive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captive. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
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