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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
Also admirable are other craft elements, notably the camera movement in two interior rotundas to capture the characters spiraling; the lighting of somber dough making scenes; and the use of songs of faith towards solemn worldbuilding, like when the Sisters cut the hair of lachrymose inductees. Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2025 The third act, which captures essentially one long showdown among deities of all kinds, is awash with kinetic action. Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
Advertisement The capture in Goa Given his previous experience with the criminal, Zende was assigned to lead the operation to recapture him. Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 5 Sep. 2025 After six months of barely evading capture, an escape plan was hatched that saw the soldier cross into Spain and eventual freedom. Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for capture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for capture
Verb
  • Charlotte forced five Tar Heels three-and-outs, held them to 33% on third-down attempts, and won the time of possession battle.
    Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Even there, though, Green Bay’s 11-game winning streak against the Bears came to an end in Week 18 last season.
    Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Money is being funneled into headline-grabbing initiatives, such as customer-facing chatbots and generative content tools.
    Mark Minevich, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
  • Huda and Amaya appeared to remain on good terms, as Huda grabbed her hand at one point.
    KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Verb
  • The Italian was in charge of Spurs when Spence joined them in July 2022, a couple of months after his electric performances at right wing-back helped Nottingham Forest earn promotion to the top flight via the Championship play-offs.
    Jay Harris, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Mike Bedosky played for Mizzou football from 1989-92, earning two All-Big Eight selections as an offensive guard.
    Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The senior receiver/running back caught a 49-yard pass in the second quarter for a touchdown and added a 90-yard TD run in the third to help the Mustangs to a 26-2 nonconference victory Thursday afternoon over Ag Science at Gately Stadium in Chicago.
    Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
  • Drone footage shows crews hosing down a smoking pile of materials that caught fire at a northeastern Massachusetts recycling plant.
    Saleen Martin, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • This was the lowest yardage gained in a game under coach Zac Taylor.
    Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Shinjiro Koizumi, the telegenic political scion who has gained prominence as Ishiba’s farm minister tasked with trying to cap soaring prices, is another possible successor.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • That initial investigation led the HPD to obtain a search warrant to seize electronic devices from the property associated with the IP address of the cyber tip, and the department investigated online communications.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Sep. 2025
  • In addition, several firearms and drugs were seized from other residences, according to police.
    Jack Moore, ABC News, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Educators and parents are increasingly enthusiastic that matching learning styles to students will reap academic rewards.
    Suzanne Wright, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Chicago reaped the benefits of Burden's slide and may have nabbed one of the draft's biggest steals as a result.
    Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Capture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/capture. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

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