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
Pete Hammond, Deadline, 6 Sep. 2025
The propaganda video shows captive Guy Gilboa-Dalal in a car in several locations in Gaza City, including outside the Red Crescent headquarters.
—Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025
Since the war began, Hamas has remained closely allied with Islamic Jihad, which as of this summer continued to hold one of the remaining Israeli captives, Rom Braslavski.
—Leila Seurat, Foreign Affairs, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for captive
Adjective
Instead, Danny is a captive in her home, for days into weeks.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 6 Sep. 2025
The propaganda video shows captive Guy Gilboa-Dalal in a car in several locations in Gaza City, including outside the Red Crescent headquarters.
—Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
By nightfall, Liat and Aviv were captives in Gaza along with 250 other people – 12 of whom, like Liat, were American citizens.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025
Since the war began, Hamas has remained closely allied with Islamic Jihad, which as of this summer continued to hold one of the remaining Israeli captives, Rom Braslavski.
—Leila Seurat, Foreign Affairs, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for captive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captive
prisoner
Noun
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The Kremlin claims these soldiers are mercenaries — a label that immediately strips them of their combatant rights, protection under international humanitarian law and prisoner-of-war status.—
Rebecca Johns,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
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Idaho took another step toward its first execution of a female prisoner after the state’s highest court rejected an appeal Thursday from the only woman on its death row.—
Kevin Fixler
September 5,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Captive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captive. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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