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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
The actress and singer appeared to be caught off guard during Monday's episode of Today after interviewer Melvin bluntly noted that the filming the movie coincided with the finalization of her divorce from Ben Affleck, who executive-produced the musical, earlier this year. —Jessica Wang, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Oct. 2025 According to the Nelsons’ complaint, the vehicle caught fire during or after the collision. —David Chiu, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
Scientists looked at their catch — and discovered a new species. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025 Kelce hauled in the first pass of the Chiefs’ series for nine yards and followed it up with another catch for six yards. —Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 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 ball popped up in the air and Bolton was there to grab it, except he was hit by teammate Drue Tranquill.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Sasaki was the necessary answer on Monday night, coming in to secure the final out and avoid disaster as Freddie Freeman sprawled out to grab Tommy Edman’s final throw to first base.
    — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Definition of grab
Verb
  • The goal is to get a congress of 15, with at least eight members coming from Cincinnati's homeless shelters and seven representing people who live outdoors or in temporary housing.
    — Elizabeth B. Kim, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Jonathan Taylor got the three touchdowns but was hardly explosive on a down-to-down basis.
    — Michael Salfino, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
Definition of get
Verb
  • The trend shows no signs of stopping.
    — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
  • To help stop the spread, wash your hands, avoid sick areas, and report symptoms quickly.
    — Jenna Anderson, Health, 4 Oct. 2025
Definition of stop
Verb
  • The substitute ordinance is separate from the process of voting on Johnson's budget, though passage of the ordinance is key to securing the revenue the mayor seeks in his city tax and spending proposal.
    — Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • On Boxing Day in 2023, St James’ Park provided the stage for Nuno Espirito Santo to secure a landmark moment early in his tenure.
    — Paul Taylor, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
Definition of secure
Verb
  • The next manager will be their sixth in nine seasons — enough for any sensible person to know that the problem extends far beyond that chair.
    — Sam Blum, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Horror fans often travel to destinations featured in scary movies or known for spooky legacies.
    — Eve Chen, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
Definition of know
Verb
  • But in addition to his reputation as a womanizer, Casanova was also a con man, a skilled liar who came from a family of actors and who over the course of his life manipulated and tricked countless people to maintain wealth and status.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Malware has evolved to target macOS more aggressively than ever and many attacks now rely on tricking users rather than breaking through security software.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Definition of trick
Verb
  • Phillies play reliever roulette Righty David Robertson entered when Cristopher Sánchez encountered trouble in the sixth, putting away pinch hitter Max Muncy, a lefty batter.
    — Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
  • There he was flabbergasted to discover video footage of a woman wearing a dark Balenciaga sack dress on the streets of Paris in the ’50s, encountering curiosity and visible scorn.
    — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 4 Oct. 2025
Definition of encounter
Verb
  • Crew aboard the ship noticed that the engine room—a long and narrow chamber—was the weakest, and was where multiple beams buckled under the pressure of the ice.
    — Frederick Dreier, Outside, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Neither that notice nor the agenda for the meeting, posted the day before, gave details about which property the board would be voting on or its intended use.
    — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 7 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 11 Oct. 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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