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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in prizes

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 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

So, this is about when undeniable attraction catches you off guard, but also the enormous consequences of following that urge and that feeling, and the consequences of that for the families around you, however innocent your intent is. —

Leo Barraclough, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026 Try the Storm Chaser, which sends you into a zero-gravity fall, catches you in a funnel, then discards you into a pool below. —

Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 18 Feb. 2026 The wedding goes nuclear Six years later, the 2015 timeline catches fire. —

Jp Mangalindan, Time, 17 Feb. 2026 For starters, Hill only had his quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for 11 games in 2024, a number which his final numbers — 81 catches for 959 yards — ultimately reflect. —

Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2026 Although the paint job catches the eye, the new stands, which cost about $87,000 each, have several features that will be helpful to lifeguards and beachgoers. —

Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026 Your keen insight catches what others miss — even a small domestic shift can turn nagging stress into quiet stability that feeds body and mind! —

Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2026 During the talk, Cindy catches Miss Mann sniffing women's underwear, then stuffing it back into her desk. —

Edward Segarra, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026 What happens after security catches the person? —

Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Feb. 2026

Noun

Kelce, who turns 37 in October, was productive with 76 catches for 851 yards and five touchdowns last season, his 13th in the NFL. —

Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026 Harry, of the fisherfolk organization, noted that the strike comes as the eastern Caribbean prepares for the peak of tuna season, with many fishermen depending on catches for their livelihoods. —

ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026 Woods had 367 catches for 4,626 yards and 23 touchdowns during his five seasons with the Rams, putting up the only two 1,000-yard seasons of his career and serving as a dependable bookend to the prolific Kupp while catching passes from Jared Goff. —

CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026 Klare racked up 43 catches for 448 yards for a Buckeyes offense that primarily relied on its wide receivers in 2025, and handled run-blocking duties well. —

Luca Evans, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026 In that postseason matchup against the Buffalo Bills, Hill finished with seven catches for 69 yards in that 34-31 loss. —

Miami Herald, 16 Feb. 2026 Westbrook-Ikhine had just 11 catches for 89 yards and didn’t find the end zone in his time with Miami. —

David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 16 Feb. 2026 The third-year player had 119 catches for an NFL-leading 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns. —

Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026 The receiver fit in well with quarterback Dak Prescott and the Dallas offense, finishing the campaign with 93 catches for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns. —

Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for catches

Verb

Cathy goes to wipe her fingers on her skirt, but Heathcliff instead grabs her hand and puts her fingers in his mouth.

— Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
Soon thereafter, a gear fishing pal of yours gifted you an old, unused fly rod, and that totally grabs a hold of you and completely directs the rest of your life.

— Outside Online, Outside Online, 11 Feb. 2026