CAPTURE! Synonyms: 130 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

capture 1 of 2

verb

Definition of capture next

as in to win

to receive as return for effort the movie's producers captured several awards for their work

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

How does the verb capture contrast with its synonyms?

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

Video captured by OnScene showed a firefighter holding the toddler and crews extracting the two adults from the front of the car and loading them into an ambulance. —

Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026 The trend was captured, humorously, by Left Shark’s awkward dancing during Katy Perry’s Super Bowl halftime show in 2015. —

Andrey Mir, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026

Noun

Even in steady-state applications like inspection, maintaining orientation while adjusting position allows for more consistent data capture. —

Etiido Uko march 30, New Atlas, 30 Mar. 2026 Before planting, Smee and his husband applied for a turf removal rebate from Glendale Water and Power, which gives homeowners $3 per square foot for replacing turf with drought-tolerant and native plants and for installing irrigation and a rainwater capture system. —

Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for capture

Recent Examples of Synonyms for capture

Verb

Keller stymies defending champ Coppell Claire Garritson scored the game-winning goal in the second half and Keller hung on to beat defending state champion Coppell 2-1 in the Class 6A Division 1 Region 1 Final on Tuesday night at Keller High School.

— Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
Brooklyn won the quarter 27-23, but Charlotte still took a 13-point lead into halftime with Miller and Miles Bridges in double figures.

— C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2026

Definition of win

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“Capture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/capture. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

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Synonyms of capture

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