captive 1 of 2

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of captive
Adjective
The guns are quiet, the 20 living hostages held captive by Hamas terrorists are home, and world leaders gathered in Egypt to develop a vision for governing and rebuilding Gaza going forward. Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 14 Oct. 2025 Reason to hope As a result of their rarity from the 1950s to 1980s, scientists – including myself – believed that any flamingos sighted intermittently around Florida were not wild birds but rather escapees from captive populations. Jerome Lorenz, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
Snipers targeted inmates holding captives on the catwalks. Michael Collins, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025 The captives were forced to their knees before being shot from behind as dozens of bystanders looked on. Barney Henderson, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for captive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captive
Adjective
  • Trump’s decision to commute Santos’ sentence came after multiple friends and allies of the imprisoned ex-politician made appeals for his clemency, a senior White House official told NBC News on Friday evening.
    Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Netanyahu was able to get the first phase of the deal through, including the return of the hostages in Gaza in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
    Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
  • In the deal's first phase, Hamas released the last 20 living Israel hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
    Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Captive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captive. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.

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