catch 1 of 2

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
as in to chase
to move fast enough to get even with despite the suspect's considerable lead, the fleet-footed police officer was able to catch him and make an arrest

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

catch

2 of 2

noun

1
as in hitch
a danger or difficulty that is hidden or not easily recognized the catch is that you have to come up with the money by tomorrow

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
3
as in haul
the total amount collected or obtained especially at one time the total catch for our day at the creek was six fish and a crab

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb catch contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of catch are bag, capture, ensnare, entrap, snare, and trap. While all these words mean "to come to possess or control by or as if by seizing," catch implies the seizing of something in motion or in flight or in hiding.

caught the dog as it ran by

Where would bag be a reasonable alternative to catch?

The words bag and catch are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bag implies shooting down a fleeing or distant prey.

bagged a brace of pheasants

When is capture a more appropriate choice than catch?

While the synonyms capture and catch are close in meaning, capture suggests taking by overcoming resistance or difficulty.

capture an enemy stronghold

How are the words entrap and ensnare related as synonyms of catch?

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 catch?

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 catch
Verb
Any kick that is caught or lands in the landing zone must be returned, while any kick that falls short of the landing zone will be ruled a touchback and spotted at the returning team’s 40-yard line. Ben Church, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025 In between, the camera flashed to the audience and caught Sarah Paulson, Colin Farrell, Jessica Williams, and Michael Urie dancing and singing along to the lyrics. Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
Accelerometers pick up bearing wear, infrared cameras flag overheated motors, ultrasonic microphones catch leaks, and oil sensors detect contamination. Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2025 Sandle had four catches for 116 yards and a score last week. Dan Albano, Oc Register, 16 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for catch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catch
Verb
  • Plus, grab knife sets and a nifty electric can opener to streamline your cooking.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2025
  • As Jey checked on Jimmy, LA Knight grabbed the steel chair and teased hitting Jey Uso.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The company argues that the traffic which sites do manage to get from users now comes from users who are more engaged and thus more valuable.
    Andy Meek, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Ahead of the premiere of her new Netflix series, Too Much, written for her by Lena Dunham, the 33-year-old reflects on what got her to this moment.
    Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Nothing better than putting down the top and driving beautiful roads just after the rain stops and the air is powerfully charged by the nearby ocean, scrubbed clean.
    Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • In fact, water levels at Lake Powell, one of the main water storage reservoirs for the Colorado River Basin, could fall low enough to stop hydropower generation at the reservoir by December 2026, according to the NOAA report.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Jefferson-Wooden went into these championships as a strong favorite to secure the victory.
    Katelyn Hutchison, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Elsewhere, the Milwaukee Brewers became the first team to secure their playoff spot after the New York Mets were defeated 3-2 by the Texas Rangers, meaning that the Brewers were guaranteed at least a National League wild card.
    Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • With the big night almost here, here's what to know about the award ceremony and how to watch it.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Your wallet — and your customer service experience — will depend on knowing the difference.
    Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Still, Genians suspects the Kimsuky group was able to develop a workaround, also known as jailbreak, to trick ChatGPT into creating the IDs.
    Senior Reporter, PC Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
  • But in reality, deepfakes are getting better and the threat industry has many years of experience in honing lures to trick people, playing on emotions and overcoming natural suspicions and objections.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Jessica Purcell, assistant professor in the department of entomology at the University of California, Riverside, has encountered Iberian harvester ants while studying other ant species in Italy.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Once released, many encounter stigma from employers, landlords, and even their communities, which fosters rejection and shame.
    Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • While the container comes with a month's worth of capsules, many reviewers noticed results way sooner.
    Gabriela Izquierdo, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Most notably the Democrats in Nevada's congressional delegation noticed.
    Peter J Reilly, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Catch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catch. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on catch

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!