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
Harrison Monarth, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
All of the captive adults have been named after stars, because the white flecks on their black stomachs look like constellations in the night sky.
—Nathan Rott, NPR, 27 May 2026
USA Today, 6 May 2026
The captives come to believe there has been a coup, which is confirmed by the executions.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for captive
Adjective
Those leaders who develop political savvy learn to read the room without becoming captive to it.
—Harrison Monarth, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
All of the captive adults have been named after stars, because the white flecks on their black stomachs look like constellations in the night sky.
—Nathan Rott, NPR, 27 May 2026
Noun
One of the captives, Amanda Berry, escaped with her daughter and contacted police, who came to free Michelle Knight and Gina DeJesus.
—USA Today, 6 May 2026
The captives come to believe there has been a coup, which is confirmed by the executions.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for captive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captive
Adjective
-
Throughout the series, Creasy is operating under the intel that the FRP, an extremist organization in Brazil, and its imprisoned leader, Ferraz, are behind the bombing of the high-rise.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
2 May 2026
-
Yenisey Taboada’s small apartment in Havana is filled with photos of her imprisoned son, Duannis Tabaoda.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The past holds Russia prisoner.—
Antony Beevor,
Washington Post,
2 June 2026
-
No ordinary filmmaker could have gotten access to such a high-profile prisoner.—
Bozorgmehr Sharafedin,
The Atlantic,
1 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 8 Jun. 2026.
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