1
as in netting
a fabric made of strands loosely twisted, knotted, or woven together at regular intervals
the basketball didn't go into the basket—it just hit the net
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in trap
a device or scheme for capturing another by surprise
drug runners caught in an elaborate net set by the police
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in profit
the amount of money left when expenses are subtracted from the total amount received
his net for the year was about 60% of his total income
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in root
the central part or aspect of something under consideration
the net of the report on race relations is that things are better but not good enough
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to trap
to catch or hold as if in a net
the kite was stubbornly netted in the branches of the willow tree
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to grab
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly
a police sting that netted drug dealers from all parts of the city
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 net
Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
That bill would establish a grant program to fund suicide reduction barriers and nets on bridges across the country.
—Maddie Mullikin, Twin Cities, 9 May 2026
Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 May 2026
In Virginia, Democrats secured approval of a new congressional map through a statewide vote that could net them as many as four additional seats.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for net
Noun
Brett Howden closed the scoring for Vegas with an empty-net, his sixth of the playoffs.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
That bill would establish a grant program to fund suicide reduction barriers and nets on bridges across the country.
—Maddie Mullikin, Twin Cities, 9 May 2026
Verb
Cantore netted her second goal in the sixth minute to put the Pride in an early 2-0 deficit.
—Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 May 2026
In Virginia, Democrats secured approval of a new congressional map through a statewide vote that could net them as many as four additional seats.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for net
Cite this Entry
“Net.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/net. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
