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

Those that treat capital as a captive resource discover that the cage has gaps. — Dave Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

The extent of harm, after all, can be misjudged by those suffering it, and complaints are not always offered by the frightened captive. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

Noun

The captives led the horses out to graze and began to gather water and collect brush for the fires. — Literary Hub, 8 July 2026

The hijackers had threatened to execute the 106 captives if their demands were not met. — Anne Neuberger, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026