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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of captive
ABC News, 8 June 2026
In recent years, Japan has experienced unprecedented heat, with the increasingly brutal summers taking a toll on captive animals.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 8 June 2026
Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 8 May 2026
The story revolves around nine warriors who travel to Tsushima Island to rescue Korean captives kidnapped by Japanese pirates.
—Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for captive
Adjective
During similar unrest last year, several officers were abducted and tortured after being taken captive.
—ABC News, 8 June 2026
In recent years, Japan has experienced unprecedented heat, with the increasingly brutal summers taking a toll on captive animals.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 8 June 2026
Noun
Mohamed Soliman admitted to the attack on the Pearl Street Mall in June 2025 during a demonstration in support of Israeli captives held by Hamas, throwing two Molotov cocktails at the group, killing one person and injuring more than a dozen others.
—Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 8 May 2026
The story revolves around nine warriors who travel to Tsushima Island to rescue Korean captives kidnapped by Japanese pirates.
—Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for captive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captive
Adjective
-
Fujimori, the daughter of a disgraced former president, and Sánchez, an ally of an imprisoned ex-president, beat 33 other candidates in the initial vote in April, but neither earned even 20% of support.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 June 2026
-
Fujimori, daughter of a disgraced former president, and Sánchez, an ally of an imprisoned ex-president, were on the runoff’s ballot after beating 33 other candidates in the vote in April, but neither earned even 20% of support.—
Franklin Briceño,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
The Federal Prison Oversight Act, signed into law in 2024, would create an independent ombudsman to whom prisoners and their families could file complaints.—
Christie Thompson,
NPR,
17 June 2026
-
All the prisoners are out of jail now and all the hungry are fed.—
Michele Amabile Angermiller,
Rolling Stone,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
On many mornings, shackled migrants plead guilty to military trespass charges rather than remain jailed awaiting trial.—
Agnel Philip,
ProPublica,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Captive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captive. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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