catch 1 of 2

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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

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noun

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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

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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
Chisholm was caught sleeping and doubled up at first on a ball that didn’t leave the infield. James Oconnell, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2025 As of July 29, there have been 33% more juvenile victims of gun violence compared with last year, and 18% more juveniles 17 and under have been caught with guns compared with last year, according to police. Andrea May Sahouri, Freep.com, 2 Aug. 2025
Noun
McLaurin hauled in 82 catches for 1,096 yards and had a career-high 13 touchdowns. Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2025 The seventh-year wideout went on to record career highs in catches (87) and receiving yards (1,027). Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for catch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catch
Verb
  • Leave your troubles behind and grab a lime, because Thursday is National Tequila Day.
    Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 25 July 2025
  • Concerned, the roommates grabbed golf clubs from one of the first-floor bedrooms and checked the house for a possible intruder.
    Christopher Cann, USA Today, 24 July 2025
Verb
  • Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.
    EW.com, EW.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Symptoms of the disease, which can take up to 14 days after exposure to show up, include: Cough Fever Headaches Muscle aches Shortness of breath The disease can be treated with antibiotics, and most healthy people who get infected usually get better, but complications are possible.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 31 July 2025
Verb
  • The researchers did not clarify whether breaking down brain glycogen could stop human brain cells from dying, Okun noted.
    Shiv Sudhakar, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2025
  • Interior designers Julia Marcum and Chris Marcum teamed up with textile company Loloi for a Wayfair collection that shoppers can’t stop buying, and among them is the Jules Indoor Area Rug with more than 1,400 five-star ratings.
    Jacqueline Tempera, People.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Crowley and his administration pushed for the housing development, racing against the clock to secure time-sensitive federal funding and tax credits.
    Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 25 July 2025
  • On draft night, the Giants traded into the first round to secure their QB prospect of the future in Jaxson Dart.
    Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
Verb
  • Crowley, 63, was known as a larger than life figure throughout Kentucky.
    Jolene Almendarez, The Courier-Journal, 31 July 2025
  • Servers look to their customer's coasters — gold for nonalcoholic and black for alcohol — to know what kind of drink each patron wants.
    Jordyn Noennig, jsonline.com, 31 July 2025
Verb
  • In the ensuing hours, Hernandez asked several times to go home, said the officers were trying to trick him, sobbed, clutched at his stomach, lay on the floor in a fetal position, had a fentanyl patch placed on his chest to treat his chronic pain, and mentioned his mental illness diagnoses.
    Joaquin Sapien, ProPublica, 28 July 2025
  • In the series, Haddix revealed to the audience that Tonka was alive and celebrated her tricking the court.
    Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 24 July 2025
Verb
  • Meanwhile, consumers encounter inconsistent standards for data privacy, interoperability, and identity verification.
    Ron Shevlin, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025
  • Should this come to pass, Issa would encounter a political sea change in yet another district in his 25-year congressional career.
    Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Fans on Reddit noticed that the Knives Out actress liked the post about Tom Cruise’s ex-wife and wrote their own thoughts on the situation.
    Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 29 July 2025
  • In the 13 years Nick Schweitzer has lived on the west side of Wauwatosa, the property assessment revaluation notice the city mailed him in mid-July 2025 is higher than any he's seen before.
    Bridget Fogarty, jsonline.com, 29 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Catch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catch. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.

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