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 toy store caught the attention of ICE this week after ABC News ran a story about its activism. —Mars King, Twin Cities, 21 Jan. 2026 Come for just an evening show, or stay longer on the campgrounds for a chance to catch an impromptu fireside jam session. —Mars Salazar, Austin American Statesman, 21 Jan. 2026
Noun
Several times, at dusk, after the group had agreed to pack it in, a flash on the radar or a fresh flock of birds inspired Mitchell to whip the boat around and chase one more catch. —Hannah Goldfield, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026 His diving, one-handed catch in the end zone gave the Patriots sufficient cushion to breeze to victory in what was a closer game than it will be remembered for. —Chris Bumbaca, USA Today, 19 Jan. 2026 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
  • Start your very own love affair with Outcrease Retinol Trifecta Serum by grabbing a bottle today, and check out some of Dermelect’s other skin correcting serums and facial oils below.
    — Michelle Baricevic, InStyle, 14 Jan. 2026
  • Madison outrebounded Point Loma 36-24, with Stevens grabbing seven and Moore five.
    — John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
Definition of grab
Verb
  • There is now a push to get the issue approved as a ballot measure.
    — Will Yakowicz, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
  • Down 117-112 with less than five seconds remaining, Boston got another triple from Pritchard and a gift from Traore, who missed a foul shot that would have put the game away.
    — Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 24 Jan. 2026
Definition of get
Verb
  • If this is your habit, be sure to stop adding fertilizer in the fall when plant growth begins to slow.
    — Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 21 Jan. 2026
  • When boat rentals stop for the winter, plan to take a walk around the basin instead of paddling on it for equally impressive views.
    — Cailey Rizzo, Travel + Leisure, 21 Jan. 2026
Definition of stop
Verb
  • Samsung has always added its own advances to securing and safeguarding Galaxy phones, over and above stock Android software.
    — Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
  • Minnesota goaltender Hannah Clark made 24 saves to secure the lopsided victory.
    — Tom Carothers, Twin Cities, 24 Jan. 2026
Definition of secure
Verb
  • X-ray data revealed that the black hole is accreting material at roughly 13 times the Eddington limit, placing it among the fastest-growing black holes known at this mass scale.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 23 Jan. 2026
  • Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips.
    — Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
Definition of know
Verb
  • The show’s original pair of fathers, who secretly trick their children into falling in love by pretending to be in a feud, will instead be mothers.
    — Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Fake pop-ups and lookalike websites are designed to trick people into typing usernames and passwords by hand.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 11 Jan. 2026
Definition of trick
Verb
  • The most recent third season transported viewers to Thailand, where glamorous guests (played by Jason Isaacs, Parker Posey, Carrie Coon, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Walton Goggins, Aimee Lou Wood among many others) encountered enlightenment, spirituality and death.
    — Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Matt Damon stars as Odysseus, who hopes to return home to his wife (Anne Hathaway) after the Trojan War, but (famously), encounters a few obstacles.
    — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
Definition of encounter
Verb
  • The theft wasn't noticed until a store employee saw that the entire caviar section was empty, which led management to check their security cameras.
    — Michele Gile, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
  • One game, Jordan Ross, his roommate, noticed that Jake was too late to rotate over on a double-team from the baseline side on a drive.
    — Mirin Fader, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Definition of notice

Phrases Containing catch

Browse Nearby Words

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 24 Jan. 2026.

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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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