Synonyms of capture

capture 1 of 2

verb

1

as in to win

to receive as return for effort

the movie's producers captured several awards for their work

Synonyms & Similar Words

• win
• earn
• gain
• reap
• garner
• make
• obtain
• get
• attain
• land
• acquire
• secure
• realize
• procure
• draw
• achieve
• carry
• bring in
• come by
• pull down
• knock down
• accomplish
• bag
• accumulate
• recapture
• score
• occupy
• gross
• net
• regain
• amass
• catch
• clear
• take over
• pick up
• annex
• rack up
• notch (up)
• remake
• reacquire
• reattain

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lose
• give
• pay
• forfeit
• grant
• yield
• surrender
• give up
• accord
• relinquish
• part (with)
• hand over

2

as in to grab

to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly

captured the cat just as it was about to escape out the front door

Synonyms & Similar Words

• grab
• catch
• seize
• snatch
• get
• trap
• land
• nab
• snag
• take hold (of)
• snare
• hook
• snap (up)
• corral
• net
• grapple
• nail
• rap
• bag
• grasp
• cop
• hold
• apprehend
• arrest
• nobble
• detain
• collar
• glom
• secure
• clutch
• kidnap
• rope
• grip
• glove
• bay
• entrap
• ensnare
• abduct
• wrest
• fist
• clasp
• rend
• latch (on or onto)
• lasso
• fasten (on)
• corner
• mesh
• entangle
• halter
• spirit (away or off)
• enmesh

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• miss
• release
• liberate
• discharge
• free
• drop
• loosen
• unhand

capture

2 of 2

noun

ˈkap-chər 

as in prisoner

one that has been taken and held in confinement

a Spanish treasure ship was the most valuable capture ever taken by that privateer

Synonyms & Similar Words

• prisoner
• captive
• internee
• convict
• arrestee
• jailbird
• abductee
• coprisoner
• kidnappee

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• guard
• marshal
• keeper
• captor
• guardian
• custodian
• warden
• jailer
• kidnapper
• abductor

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb capture contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of capture are bag, catch, ensnare, entrap, snare, and trap. While all these words mean "to come to possess or control by or as if by seizing," capture suggests taking by overcoming resistance or difficulty.

capture an enemy stronghold

In what contexts can bag take the place of capture?

In some situations, the words bag and capture are roughly equivalent. However, bag implies shooting down a fleeing or distant prey.

bagged a brace of pheasants

When is catch a more appropriate choice than capture?

The words catch and capture are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, catch implies the seizing of something in motion or in flight or in hiding.

caught the dog as it ran by

How do entrap and ensnare relate to one another, in the sense of capture?

Both entrap and ensnare more often are figurative.

entrapped the witness with a trick question

a sting operation that ensnared burglars

How is trap related to other words for capture?

Trap, snare, entrap, and ensnare imply seizing by some device that holds the one caught at the mercy of the captor. Trap and snare apply more commonly to physical seizing.

trap animals

snared butterflies with a net

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of capture

Verb

In addition, antimony chalcogenide has a high light absorption coefficient, meaning skinny layers can efficiently capture sunlight. —Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 20 Jan. 2026

Grab a wide-angle lens and aim for longer exposures to capture the colors and movement. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026

Noun

Predictions of Cuba’s demise after Maduro’s capture may be greatly exaggerated. —Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 11 Jan. 2026

In the uncertain aftermath of American Delta Force operatives’ capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores last Saturday, Narváez said his relatives there are safe. —Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 11 Jan. 2026