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
• collar
• grasp
• cop
• hold
• apprehend
• nobble
• arrest
• detain
• glom
• secure
• kidnap
• clutch
• rope
• grip
• glove
• bay
• lasso
• ensnare
• entrap
• abduct
• wrest
• clasp
• fist
• rend
• latch (on or onto)
• corner
• fasten (on)
• mesh
• entangle
• halter
• enmesh
• spirit (away or off)
• immesh

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
• kidnapee
• jailbird
• abductee
• coprisoner
• kidnappee

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• captor
• guard
• marshal
• keeper
• custodian
• guardian
• warden
• jailer
• marshall
• kidnapper
• abductor
• jailor
• kidnaper

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

The pair had a passionate but tumultuous relationship, and were even captured by the tabloids yelling at each other in public. —Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 16 June 2025

After a grueling two-day manhunt, Vance Boelter, the suspect accused of shooting two Minnesota state lawmakers, was captured and Minnesota lawmakers and the governor are expressing their appreciation for those who are helping bring him to justice. —Christina Shaw, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2025

Noun

The blockade was instituted to pressure Hamas to release the remaining 20 hostages taken during Hamas' surprise terror attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, that killed 1,200 people and led to the capture of hundreds, Israel said. —Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 1 June 2025

Mikaela Hoover, who has featured in Guardians of the Galaxy and The Suicide Squad, will voice the character and will do the facial capture. —Peter White, Deadline, 31 May 2025