catch 1 of 2

verb

ˈkach How to pronounce catch (audio)
Definition of catchnext
1
as in to grab
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly we tried to catch the kitten before she could sneak out the door

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2
as in to get
to become affected with (a disease or disorder) you'll catch the flu for sure if you don't get a shot

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3
as in to stop
to bring (something) to a standstill I caught myself just as I was about to step into the freshly poured concrete

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4
as in to secure
to put securely in place or in a desired position caught back her hair with a barrette

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5
as in to know
to have a clear idea of I didn't catch the point you were making about our nation's foreign policy

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6
as in to trick
to cause to believe what is untrue a number of media outlets were caught by the woman's hard-luck story

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7
as in to encounter
to come upon face-to-face or as if face-to-face I'll catch you at the library tomorrow

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8
as in to notice
to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes I looked out the window just in time to catch the neighbor's dog digging up my flower bed

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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

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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

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2
as in prize
someone or something unusually desirable everyone thought the captain of the football team was a real catch

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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

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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
If caught in a rip current, remain calm. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 27 Oct. 2025 Patients caught in a contract dispute have few good options. —Bram Sable-Smith, NPR, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
The 36-year-old had six catches for 99 yards and a touchdown against Washington and is back to providing an important safety blanket target for Mahomes. —Ben Morse, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025 Kelce had six catches for 99 yards as Kansas City has yet to have a 100-yard receiver this season. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for catch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catch
  1. grab
  2. get
  3. stop
  4. secure
  5. know
  6. trick
  7. encounter
  8. notice
Verb
  • The Asian restaurant joins what has become an increasingly attractive section of Meridian for grabbing food.
    — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 27 Oct. 2025
  • The Clinton years and the 1990s, defined by continuous domestic economic growth and headline-grabbing scandals, were a time when liberal idealism was so strong that Aaron Sorkin wrote a show about it.
    — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
Definition of grab
Verb
  • Ciske has also gotten creative in making sure kids can keep coming with their guardians.
    — Jordyn Noennig, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025
  • The company got Turkish movie legend Mehmet Çevik as a pitchman.
    — Moisés Naím, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
Definition of get
Verb
  • The former instantly adds a second layer of security against unwanted guests, and the latter emits an ultra-loud alarm while acting like a door stop wedge, scaring off any stranger who tries to enter your room.
    — Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 26 Oct. 2025
  • And Los Angeles did not stop there.
    — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025
Definition of stop
Verb
  • Trump’s backing for his fellow conservative was part of a broader push to secure a political shift across Latin America, with elections pending in a number of nations.
    — Daniel Flatley, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Mission accomplished, as Will McDonald IV secured the Jets’ first sack of the game on third-and-10, forcing a punt.
    — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2025
Definition of secure
Verb
  • The charitable organization funded by the Johnson & Johnson heiress is known for gifts to education, health and civic projects.
    — Dave Smith, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Also known as irritable hip, the condition is due to inflammation of the hip joint lining.
    — Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025
Definition of know
Verb
  • They are also known to trick miners into quarrying worthless ore, following veins of what appears to be copper or silver, but when smelted, is found to be without value or, worse, poisonous.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Mykal-Michelle Harris from Raven’s Home guest-stars as Ruby, a mischievous moon imp who tricks Vee.
    — Allison McClain Merrill, Parents, 27 Oct. 2025
Definition of trick
Verb
  • Following the spiritual moment, the King and Queen encountered a group of schoolchildren from the local primary school, Scuola Primaria San Paolo - Istituto Figlie di Cristo, who were waiting to greet them outside the Papal Basilica.
    — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
  • These clogs are technically designed as recovery shoes for long-distance runners—Kaufman first encountered them in a running store in Madison, Wisconsin.
    — Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Definition of encounter
Verb
  • For there are two legacies of the founding era that must be noticed, and both qualify as enormous tragedies.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Mocha Point customers will notice some of the same flavors as other coffee shops, as well as some that are different.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2025
Definition of notice

Phrases Containing catch

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catcalls
catch
catch-22
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Cite this Entry

“Catch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catch. Accessed 1 Nov. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on catch

Nglish: Translation of catch for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about catch

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