CATCHES Synonyms: 442 Similar and Opposite Words

catches 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of catch

as in grabs

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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Relevance

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as in gets

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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as in stops

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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as in secures

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

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as in knows

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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as in deceives

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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as in encounters

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

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as in notices

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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as in overtakes

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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falls short

catches

2 of 2

noun

plural of catch

as in hitches

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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as in prizes

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

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as in yields

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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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 catches

Verb

The backstory Faena New York occupies the East Tower of One High Line—a sculptural work by Bjarke Ingels Group whose twisting geometric design catches sunlight like a prism. —

Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026 Sophie’s wonderment at the ornate environment catches Benedict’s attention. —

Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026 Engram logged one or zero catches four times over the course of the season and logged three or fewer targets on six different occasions. —

Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 27 Jan. 2026 But when Gabriella is revealed to be a new student at East High, her inability to agree to the set social hierarchy quickly catches fire. —

Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 24 Jan. 2026 The Sorcerer’s enormous rear wing catches the eye the most, which was a choice of the owner, who also wanted a front spoiler to make the car more track-focused. —

Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 23 Jan. 2026 The distinctive design catches the eye of thousands of people passing by each day. —

James Taylor, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026 Preeminent street style star and fashion editor Anna Dello Russo knows that texture is paramount to an outfit that catches a photographer’s attention. —

Freya Drohan, InStyle, 20 Jan. 2026 Resigned to sleeping outside, Dunk also manages to sneak into a party held by the rowdy Ser Lyonel Baratheon (Daniel Ings) to scrape together some food and catches the eye of a cute puppeteer named Tanselle (Tanzyn Crawford). —

Jordan Moreau, Variety, 19 Jan. 2026

Noun

Allen returns Josyah Johnson, who had 63 catches for 786 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore for a 14-1 team that reached the Class 6A Division I state semifinals. —

Greg Riddle, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026 Over two playoff games in ’25-26, Sutton’s collected seven catches and 70 yards through the air. —

Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 27 Jan. 2026 The approach worked the following season, with Allen earning NFL MVP honors for his 28 touchdown passes (plus 12 rushing TDs) and a career-low six interceptions and a receiving group led by Khalil Shakir’s 76 catches for 821 yards. —

John Wawrow, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026 Minnesota tight end Kyle Rudolph is voted the game’s MVP with five catches for 122 yards and a touchdown. —

Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026 Barkate’s 72 catches were 16th most in FBS last season, and 13th most excluding players whose totals were boosted by playoff games. —

Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2026 Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan — the team’s first-round pick — is a finalist for the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award after producing 70 catches for 1,014 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. —

Mike Kaye updated January 26, Charlotte Observer, 26 Jan. 2026 Jaxon Smith-Njigba had 153 yards receiving and a touchdown on 10 catches. —

David Matthews, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2026 The 6-foot-1, 235-pound Robinson played in nine games this season, rushing six times for 22 yards with three catches for 24 yards. —

John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for catches

Verb

Video shows that in the seconds before Pretti is shot, the 37-year-old ICU nurse grabs the observer’s backpack when he is pulled to the ground by a group of agents.

— Yahya Abou-Ghazala, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
The officer grabs Pretti’s shirt at his chest, pulling him back toward the vehicle as Pretti’s arms flail.

— Michael Biesecker, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026