1
as in nettings
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 traps
a device or scheme for capturing another by surprise
drug runners caught in an elaborate net set by the police
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in tangles
something that catches and holds
caught in a net of palace intrigues
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in earnings
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 hearts
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 meshes
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 grabs
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 nets
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
24 June 2026
Organizations that cast wider nets will discover stronger leaders, better ideas and greater resilience.
—
Brian Castrucci,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Using humane methods like squirrel baffles and tree nets can effectively keep squirrels out of your fruit trees.
—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
18 June 2026
Earlier this year, the Department of Homeland Security awarded a contract to a company that makes a drone with massive nets to ensnare other drones.
—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Using traps and nets, researchers collected dozens of adult and juvenile bloody red shrimp, including pregnant females, at Wisconsin Point and the Montreal Pier.
—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
17 June 2026
Kerry said industrial fishing fleets continue to exploit the oceans, with some vessels operating thousands of miles from home and using massive nets that indiscriminately catch marine life.
—
ABC News,
16 June 2026
Sharks often become bycatch – entangled in fishing nets not intended for them, they are rendered helpless and face certain death.
—
Charlotte Reck,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
Strung-up nets drip with ersatz fish and nautical paraphernalia, and the sunny interior with colorful highlights echoes coastal Mediterranean architecture.
—
Kate Bradshaw,
Mercury News,
2 June 2026
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
15 June 2026
The Natural profile is the default for both SDR and HDR and nets good-looking colors with strong detail and smooth motion.
—
Jim Fisher,
PC Magazine,
11 June 2026
Each show nets the Cyclones about $1 million.
—
Matt Baker,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
The Korea Times noted that under the Capital Market Act, any person who nets KRW5 billion or more by making false representations about a financial product faces a prison term of at minimum five years, with a life sentence possible at the upper end.
—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
21 Apr. 2026
After the premium increase is factored in, the average retiree nets roughly $38 more per month.
—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
15 Apr. 2026
Bridgeport comeback nets 1st title Bridgeport’s Jared Contreras recorded a hat trick and the Bulls scored three times in overtime to down Brookshire Royal 5-2 in the boys Class 4A Division II championship game on Thursday.
—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Apr. 2026
In Georgia, a motorist’s first distracted driving offense nets a $50 fine and one penalty point on their driving record.
—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
5 Apr. 2026
The deal nets the Yankees something in return for Vivas, who is out of minor league options and was not going to make the team’s Opening Day roster.
—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
The pesky green organisms once again returned to the waters, with aerial photographs showing workers using what appear to be pool skimmer nets fishing out the unwanted growth over the weekend.
—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
24 June 2026
Organizations that cast wider nets will discover stronger leaders, better ideas and greater resilience.
—
Brian Castrucci,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Using humane methods like squirrel baffles and tree nets can effectively keep squirrels out of your fruit trees.
—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
18 June 2026
Earlier this year, the Department of Homeland Security awarded a contract to a company that makes a drone with massive nets to ensnare other drones.
—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Using traps and nets, researchers collected dozens of adult and juvenile bloody red shrimp, including pregnant females, at Wisconsin Point and the Montreal Pier.
—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
17 June 2026
Kerry said industrial fishing fleets continue to exploit the oceans, with some vessels operating thousands of miles from home and using massive nets that indiscriminately catch marine life.
—
ABC News,
16 June 2026
Sharks often become bycatch – entangled in fishing nets not intended for them, they are rendered helpless and face certain death.
—
Charlotte Reck,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
Strung-up nets drip with ersatz fish and nautical paraphernalia, and the sunny interior with colorful highlights echoes coastal Mediterranean architecture.
—
Kate Bradshaw,
Mercury News,
2 June 2026
Verb
That deal nets the league roughly $7 billion annually and represents the most expensive domestic sports rights package in basketball history.
—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
15 June 2026
The Natural profile is the default for both SDR and HDR and nets good-looking colors with strong detail and smooth motion.
—
Jim Fisher,
PC Magazine,
11 June 2026
Each show nets the Cyclones about $1 million.
—
Matt Baker,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
The Korea Times noted that under the Capital Market Act, any person who nets KRW5 billion or more by making false representations about a financial product faces a prison term of at minimum five years, with a life sentence possible at the upper end.
—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
21 Apr. 2026
After the premium increase is factored in, the average retiree nets roughly $38 more per month.
—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
15 Apr. 2026
Bridgeport comeback nets 1st title Bridgeport’s Jared Contreras recorded a hat trick and the Bulls scored three times in overtime to down Brookshire Royal 5-2 in the boys Class 4A Division II championship game on Thursday.
—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Apr. 2026
In Georgia, a motorist’s first distracted driving offense nets a $50 fine and one penalty point on their driving record.
—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
5 Apr. 2026
The deal nets the Yankees something in return for Vivas, who is out of minor league options and was not going to make the team’s Opening Day roster.
—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
22 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nets
Noun
-
Golden State sent more traps than usual and didn’t allow the former Notre Dame standout to get clean looks at the rim or from the 3-point line.
-
That changed rapidly as Argentina flew out of the traps and picked apart their jaded opponents, going 2-0 up after 36 minutes, with the first goal a Messi penalty.
Noun
-
This Levoit vacuum just dropped under $200, and its impressive ability to pick up hair without any tangles is a pet owner’s dream.
-
Tuohy found that only our top overall robovac pick, the Matic, did a better job on hard surfaces, while the Saros 20’s DuoDivide brush is designed to resist hair tangles, reducing the amount of maintenance required.
Noun
-
The Downfall and Freefall documentaries argue that Boeing’s company culture deteriorated as company execs prioritized profits and a rising share price over safety.
-
That has prompted accusations by some fans that the organizer is prioritizing profits over creating an enjoyable and accessible experience for people from all over the world.
Noun
-
Millennials have a soft spot in their hearts for babydoll tops.
-
Our hearts go out to the people who were lost, their families, and everyone who has been impacted.
Verb
-
The design is what grabs your attention at first sight.
-
The goal is to have a welcoming environment that grabs visitors' attention.
Verb
-
Whether La Roja earns another star or comes crashing back down to earth remains to be seen.
-
The brand that saves time, reduces friction and feels like it was designed for their actual life earns the right to become emotional later.
Noun
-
Cuba also maintains elite forces trained for counter-special-operations missions, guerrilla warfare, ambushes, sabotage and close protection of senior leaders.
-
Even in areas not under its direct control, the widespread sympathy in rural areas allows JNIM to set up ambushes along the main roads and dominate the main supply routes into the capitals, especially in Mali.
Noun
-
Microservices introduced flexibility but also required service meshes, observability platforms and policy controls.
-
Functional mapping techniques, for instance, can relate similar shapes but are restricted to open-loop motions on clean meshes.
Cite this Entry
“Nets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nets. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
