1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stops
to bring (something) to a standstill
I caught myself just as I was about to step into the freshly poured concrete
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in secures
to put securely in place or in a desired position
caught back her hair with a barrette
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in knows
to have a clear idea of
I didn't catch the point you were making about our nation's foreign policy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in deceives
to cause to believe what is untrue
a number of media outlets were caught by the woman's hard-luck story
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in encounters
to come upon face-to-face or as if face-to-face
I'll catch you at the library tomorrow
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in prizes
someone or something unusually desirable
everyone thought the captain of the football team was a real catch
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of catches
Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Despite these close ties, the identity of the murderer catches her completely by surprise.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
The high-shine surface catches the light from every angle, giving the manicure a crisp, icy glow.
—Kat Suico, InStyle, 8 Jan. 2026
This gas catches and reflects the sun's light, which can cause the comet to brighten significantly, occasionally rendering them visible to the naked eye in Earth's night sky.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 8 Jan. 2026
The case catches the attention of Anna (Thompson), a former Atlanta news anchor who dropped off the map following the death of her child.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Jan. 2026
Neither Chris Richards nor Marc Guehi is in a position to cover fellow centre-half Lacroix, and the speed of Fulham’s combination catches Palace out.
—Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
This could be the game Toney catches fire.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
Alphonse Pierre’s Off the Dome column covers songs, mixtapes, albums, scenes, snippets, movies, Meek Mill tweets, fashion trends—and anything else that catches his attention.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2025
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
He was named to his 11th Pro Bowl after recording 76 catches for 851 yards and five touchdowns.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Shipley's rookie season turned out to be his most productive, making 52 catches for 600 yards and three touchdowns for the Cincinnati Bengals.
—David K. Li, NBC news, 7 Jan. 2026
Wilson recorded 61 catches and a team-high six scores in 2023 as a true freshman, but managed just 19 grabs and one score after a hip injury ended his 2024 season.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026
The Illini also added wide receiver depth with Florida Atlantic’s Jayshon Platt, who had 46 catches for 720 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games this past season as a junior.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Mitchell played just 24 offensive snaps over the last four games and recorded two catches for 15 yards on four targets.
—James Boyd, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2025
Through the first seven games of the season, the three-time Pro-Bowl WR has 29 catches for 395 yards and three touchdowns.
—Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Alejado has several reliable pass catchers, led by wide receivers Pofele Ashlock (55 catches, 598 yards, 6 TDs), Jackson Harris (35-601, 7 TDs) and running back Landon Sims (30-231, 2 TDs).
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
Australian Geographic reports that the bird catches prey midair during hunting.
—Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Despite these close ties, the identity of the murderer catches her completely by surprise.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
The high-shine surface catches the light from every angle, giving the manicure a crisp, icy glow.
—Kat Suico, InStyle, 8 Jan. 2026
This gas catches and reflects the sun's light, which can cause the comet to brighten significantly, occasionally rendering them visible to the naked eye in Earth's night sky.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 8 Jan. 2026
The case catches the attention of Anna (Thompson), a former Atlanta news anchor who dropped off the map following the death of her child.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Jan. 2026
Neither Chris Richards nor Marc Guehi is in a position to cover fellow centre-half Lacroix, and the speed of Fulham’s combination catches Palace out.
—Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
This could be the game Toney catches fire.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
Alphonse Pierre’s Off the Dome column covers songs, mixtapes, albums, scenes, snippets, movies, Meek Mill tweets, fashion trends—and anything else that catches his attention.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
On the season, Toney has 99 catches for 1,089 yards and nine touchdowns.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
He was named to his 11th Pro Bowl after recording 76 catches for 851 yards and five touchdowns.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Shipley's rookie season turned out to be his most productive, making 52 catches for 600 yards and three touchdowns for the Cincinnati Bengals.
—David K. Li, NBC news, 7 Jan. 2026
Wilson recorded 61 catches and a team-high six scores in 2023 as a true freshman, but managed just 19 grabs and one score after a hip injury ended his 2024 season.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026
The Illini also added wide receiver depth with Florida Atlantic’s Jayshon Platt, who had 46 catches for 720 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games this past season as a junior.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Mitchell played just 24 offensive snaps over the last four games and recorded two catches for 15 yards on four targets.
—James Boyd, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2025
Through the first seven games of the season, the three-time Pro-Bowl WR has 29 catches for 395 yards and three touchdowns.
—Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Alejado has several reliable pass catchers, led by wide receivers Pofele Ashlock (55 catches, 598 yards, 6 TDs), Jackson Harris (35-601, 7 TDs) and running back Landon Sims (30-231, 2 TDs).
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catches
Verb
-
But the sustained fury grabs you.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Today, artificial intelligence grabs headlines and AI stocks are soaring.—
Drew O’Connor,
Nashville Tennessean,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
While not everyone gets their wishes, those with no interest in taking on the deceptive — and challenging — role of a Traitor likely won't be chosen.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Ole Miss gets one more possession, starting at its 31, with 55 seconds left in the first half.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The team that stops the run and mitigates mistakes will win this one.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Jan. 2026
-
The group stops to talk to one who took a fall while riding his bike in his neighborhood.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Underneath the soft fleece exterior is a plastic internal support that aligns and secures your neck and head to prevent bobbing.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The Pisces moon teaming up with Mars secures the path.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
25 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Gravette may not be where most expect to find an athlete competing on a global stage, but maybe that's just because Madie Edwards knows how to keep a low profile.—
NWA Democrat-Gazette,
Arkansas Online,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Armario knows the fast-food world from every angle—rising the industry ranks from Burger King crew member to a McDonald’s executive overseeing global supply chain, development, and franchising.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The fragmentary Ni 12501 tablet from the Early Dynastic III period of Mesopotamia breaks off when Fox deceives the inhabitants of the netherworld in his quest to retrieve the storm god Ishkur.—
Rafil Kroll-Zaidi,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Still deeply scarred by his ex-lover’s death, Pine surprisingly encounters his nemesis in person when Roper and his late-arriving entourage check into the hotel.—
Jake Kring-Schreifels,
Time,
9 Jan. 2026
-
But the film is at its strongest during a sequence when Salim (Saleh Bakri), the son of Sharif and father of Noor, encounters Israeli soldiers who belittle him in front of his son while both on their way to pick up a prescription for Salim’s ailing father.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Later, after showing Joe how to work the Jet Ski crane, Nathan gets hit in the face by the hook — at the same time that Max notices that another Jet Ski has floated away and runs to get it.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Baer also notices her clients gravitate toward pieces that feel human and grounded.—
Abby Wolner,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Catches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catches. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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