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capture

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noun

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 capture
Verb
How does party capture — the subservience of entire systems — factor into this? Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 22 Sep. 2025 In Kansas City’s Week 2 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, FOX captured Kelce slamming down his helmet in a fit of dissatisfaction. Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
Meta is pushing a tiered family of AI glasses that range from camera‑ and audio‑first models to a new pair with an integrated transparent display, all centered on hands‑free capture, Meta AI assistance, and voice or wristband control. Ashley Lutz, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025 The glasses feature a centered camera, louder speakers with deeper bass and new shooting modes such as 60-frames-per-second video, slow-motion and time-lapse capture. Bloomberg, Mercury News, 18 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for capture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for capture
Verb
  • Tonight, then, served as another winning addition to his growing political roster.
    Christian Allaire, Vogue, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Colligan cautioned that while an awards win could change a film’s fortune at the box office, distributors needed to make calculated choices, given the industry that has sprung up around awards campaigns and the subsequent costs.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • On third-and-9 from the 50, Murray threw a contested pass that receiver Zay Jones couldn’t grab.
    The Athletic NFL Staff, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Thomas grabbed her husband’s ashes and some cash before trying to rescue her German shepherd, Storm, her companion of more than six years.
    Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi, Charlotte Observer, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Along with alleged abuse by guards, the documentary exposes alarming living conditions for prisoners who are stacked in barracks like cord wood.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2025
  • See me as a writer, see me as anything but a prisoner and a murderer.
    John J. Lennon September 24, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Hendricks gave up three runs (two earned) in five innings, striking out eight with no walks.
    Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Regulators caught off-guard News of Tesla’s Bay Area robotaxi plans unsettled regulators at the California State Transportation Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), according to the emails exchanged on July 25, which were seen by Reuters.
    Chris Kirkham, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
  • Rodriguez, 23, didn’t spend a ton of time catching in the Yankees’ system due to New York’s abundance of catching prospects, catching only 172 games over six seasons in the minors.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But the anger that left-leaning media critics felt is clearly gaining more traction with a broader swath of the Democratic Party — people who are opening their wallets and dedicating their time to consuming new and independent media.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2025
  • The Chargers ran down the clock after Herbert gained 2 yards on a sneak.
    Daniel Popper, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The boost would be short-lived, as the Shamrocks seized the momentum back with a strong defensive response and took possession over at the Spartans’ 29-yard line.
    Erik Anderson, Boston Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
  • In September, the DEA in Atlanta seized over 1,000 pounds of meth in an operation targeting the CJNG.
    Asher Redd, FOXNews.com, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Recent Michigan Lottery jackpot recipients included a man from Genesee County who won $25,000 a year for life through a Lucky For Life game, and a woman from Oakland County who reaped $4 million by playing an Electric 300s game.
    David Chiu, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Pumpkins Add pumpkin to your diet this fall to reap the beneficial effects the vegetable can have on the body.
    Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 23 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Capture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/capture. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

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