1
as in pregnant
containing unborn young within the body
after several years of trying to have a baby, the couple was surprised when they discovered she was caught
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in arrested
taken and held prisoner
after seeing how the caught soldiers had been treated, we resolved never to be taken alive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in grabbed
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in got
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 stopped
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 secured
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 knew
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 tricked
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 encountered
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 noticed
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 chased
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
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 caught
Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 June 2026
Darryl Brown, a sergeant in the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, was caught with the missing items after the photojournalist used a geo-tracking device to trace her missing gear to his home, the state’s attorney general said Thursday.
—ABC News, 4 June 2026
Palantir didn’t wait to be caught in this trap.
—Michael Gregory, The Conversation, 4 June 2026
Theo Wease caught Willis’ first touchdown pass of the day during the team’s 11-on-11 work, pulling in a pass Willis bulleted into the right side of the end zone.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
Secure loose outdoor items and adjust plans as necessary so you're not caught outside.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2026
The fan was quickly caught by two security guards who escorted him off the court.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
Starting Friday, motorists who are caught holding or using a cellphone while driving can receive a $50 fine.
—Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 4 June 2026
Tomato plants can make a healthy recovery and return to normal from curling leaves, especially if it’s caught early and adjustments are made.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 29 May 2026
Verb
If caught in a rip current, remain calm.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 June 2026
Darryl Brown, a sergeant in the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, was caught with the missing items after the photojournalist used a geo-tracking device to trace her missing gear to his home, the state’s attorney general said Thursday.
—ABC News, 4 June 2026
Palantir didn’t wait to be caught in this trap.
—Michael Gregory, The Conversation, 4 June 2026
Theo Wease caught Willis’ first touchdown pass of the day during the team’s 11-on-11 work, pulling in a pass Willis bulleted into the right side of the end zone.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
Secure loose outdoor items and adjust plans as necessary so you're not caught outside.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2026
The fan was quickly caught by two security guards who escorted him off the court.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
Starting Friday, motorists who are caught holding or using a cellphone while driving can receive a $50 fine.
—Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 4 June 2026
Tomato plants can make a healthy recovery and return to normal from curling leaves, especially if it’s caught early and adjustments are made.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 29 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for caught
Adjective
-
Most adults including pregnant people either have no symptoms or experience mild, flu-like illness such as fever, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, and muscle or joint aches.—
Dr. Megan Yanny,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
-
Women had the option of choosing who to be with, and not to accidentally get pregnant with the wrong guy.—
Lesley Stahl,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
He's also grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out 4 assists.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
-
Spurs reserve Harrison Barnes accidentally collided with Brunson's right knee while falling to the floor, and the Knicks star immediately grabbed at the leg in apparent pain.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Wembanyama scored 22 points, Julian Champagnie got 18 of his 20 off of three-pointers and the Spurs beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-103 on Saturday night — bucking heavy odds to win a Game 7 on the road.—
Tim Reynolds,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
-
The drama got even louder when a short sideline video started making the rounds on X.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Not that long after, a guard near the New York Stock Exchange stopped me.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
31 May 2026
-
Stosic delivered one giant hammer fist to Hardy’s jaw and the referee came in and stopped the bout.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
The agency said visits could resume now that the area around Delaney Hall has been secured.—
Adam Reiss,
NBC news,
31 May 2026
-
For guests who secured early reservations, the opening offered more than first access to the cocktail menu.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Everyone in town knew about my mother but most of my friends and their parents had never met her.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
Detectives subsequently went door to door at every apartment in the complex looking for anyone who knew Samuel.—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
The sample that tricked the most people came from a robot Bram Stoker.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
2 June 2026
-
Montreal opened the scoring when Dubois’ shot hit off of Elizabeth Giguere’s stick and tricked Rooney.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
But what about those who have already encountered visitors from outer space?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 June 2026
-
Both plans encountered staunch opposition from environmental groups and farming advocates and were eventually withdrawn.—
Paul Rogers,
Mercury News,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Caught.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caught. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
