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

Citi also said some inventory supply was likely shifted from the second to the third quarter to capture the full benefit of a second round of average selling price hikes that took effect July 18. — Lee Ying Shan,sarah Min, CNBC, 16 Aug. 2026

Pressure on capturing the tragic couple and their time period was high enough before early test photos sent devotees of Bessette’s style into a tizzy and a legion of paparazzi to the FX limited series’ Manhattan shoot. — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 16 Aug. 2026

Noun

Hong’s early capture of the data-center issue, which was not especially ideological, is a good example of how consistently the Party’s much larger traditional wing has been out-hustled. — Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 12 Aug. 2026

In response to the shooting, advocates with the United Bodegas of America gathered outside the store Thursday to offer a $5,000 reward for the gunman’s capture. — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026