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
Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
In March 2015, Muller surveilled, then broke into, the Vallejo home Huskins Quinn shared with her now-husband, held them captive and subjected them to psychological probing before fleeing with Huskins Quinn.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2025
Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
The militant group still holds 59 captives, of whom 24 are believed to still be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals.
—Isaac Sharf, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for captive
Adjective
Job seekers, employees, and executives alike are held captive by events outside of their control.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
In March 2015, Muller surveilled, then broke into, the Vallejo home Huskins Quinn shared with her now-husband, held them captive and subjected them to psychological probing before fleeing with Huskins Quinn.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2025
Noun
Israeli officials consider such clips depicting hostages to be propaganda attempts by Hamas to weaponize claims made by captives under duress.
—Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
The militant group still holds 59 captives, of whom 24 are believed to still be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals.
—Isaac Sharf, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for captive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captive
Noun
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The three remaining federal death row prisoners whose sentences Biden didn't commute are all challenging their cases.—
Kristin Wright,
NPR,
25 Apr. 2025
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Over the past 27 years, nine prisoners have been set free after being convicted in part on inaccurate evidence given by West and Hayne.—
Richard A. Webster,
ProPublica,
25 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Captive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captive. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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