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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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

As for the transfers, Rogers (33 catches for 441 yards in 2025) will assuredly be put to work as one of only two receivers on the team with more than three career starts. —

Manny Navarro, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026 Perez nearly has one of her own, but Vestal catches the flyball at the warning track. —

Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 6 Mar. 2026 His 10 catches for 142 yards and two touchdowns were all career highs. —

Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 4 Mar. 2026 And if their 2-year-old son catches rotavirus from his sister, the ordeal could repeat — more missed workdays, more medical bills, and more financial peril. —

Dr. Rahul K. Parikh, Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2026 If boomers sneeze, the rest of the economy catches a cold. —

Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2026 But there are specific pointers for ensuring your trap catches the intruder. —

Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2026 Or perhaps a member of a group or an organization will do or say something that catches you off guard? —

Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 27 Feb. 2026 Tiny jewel rhinestone flowers add a touch of luxury and makes for an intricate detail that catches the light with every gesture. —

Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 26 Feb. 2026

Noun

During his three seasons with the Bears, Moore compiled 244 catches, 3,012 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns during his tenure. —

Carter Bahns, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026 During his two seasons at Vanderbilt, Stowers collected 1,407 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 111 catches. —

Mike Kaye updated March 5, Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 2026 Now a two-time Pro Bowler receiver with the Baltimore Ravens, Flowers had every chance to leave BC ahead of the 2022 season after posting an ACC-leading nine touchdown catches in 2020 and had the seventh-highest yards per reception (17) in the conference the following year. —

Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026 The first of Tonges’ five touchdown catches won their opener in Seattle. —

Cam Inman, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026 Cotton matched his career high with 59 catches last year for 572 yards and a touchdown. —

Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 4 Mar. 2026 Other top catches are shrimp and snow crab, which including legs can reach more than a meter (3 feet) in length. —

ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026 Woerner only has 26 catches in his six-year career, so Stowers would immediately add more receiving value. —

Josh Kendall, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026 Conrad and returning all-league left fielder Kai Cesare had diving catches that saved multiple runs for San Clemente. —

Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 25 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for catches

Verb

Barber then grabs her firearm from her vehicle and Riley's girlfriend also retrieves an item from the vehicle, according to the complaint.

— Drake Bentley, jsonline.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Isabelle slides off Sarah’s lap, flings the towel, pulls on her swimming mask, grabs her mom’s hand and tugs her toward the pool.

— Gerald Witt, AJC.com, 1 Mar. 2026