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
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Recent Examples of nets
Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Mar. 2026
Coach Todd Golden was front and center as the team doled out hats and T-shirts and cut down nets.
—ABC News, 28 Feb. 2026
With the concept of ‘Fishermen’s Song at Eventide’, the room design creates a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere through elements such as fishing nets, village architecture and sunset light.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026
In case no one has noticed, take a look at all the devices hanging from nets or fences at baseball fields.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
Red, blue, suits, ties, cast nets and sunscreen.
—Justin Tramble, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2026
The question of how the Bruins would put enough pucks in nets was one asked not just inside team offices but also around the league.
—Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2026
The fact that fishing nets were found in these same deep-sea survey areas sharpens the urgency of that designation.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
Snowflakes drift down like tiny nets, moving slowly and exposing lots of surface area, gathering more pollutants than fast-falling raindrops.
—Isabel Lopez, Parents, 11 Feb. 2026
Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
Orlando striking a deal now nets the club some financial windfall rather than losing him on a free transfer.
—Tom Bogert, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Suno users generate 7 million new tracks a day, which every two weeks nets out to about as many songs as exist on Spotify.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 22 Dec. 2025
The good news is that there are still some last-chance Cyber Monday deals, such as this fantastic Walmart deal, which nets you over $1000 off the Sony A7R V camera.
—Chris McMullen, Space.com, 2 Dec. 2025
That money nets him a seafood feast in the French port city of Marseille.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 15 Nov. 2025
Each player on the winning team nets $530,933 this season, while players on the second-place team receive $212,373.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 8 Nov. 2025
There’s no time like the present to copy Reese Witherspoon’s loungewear look — Spanx is running a bundle deal that nets you two items for 15 percent off.
—Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
For Kappahl, Hedin continued, staying within a consistent style—rather than trend chasing—nets a greater intersectional gain.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
Some missile storage buildings are painted to resemble civilian structures, while others are covered with thermal-masking nets or earth barriers to reduce their heat and radar signatures.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Mar. 2026
Coach Todd Golden was front and center as the team doled out hats and T-shirts and cut down nets.
—ABC News, 28 Feb. 2026
With the concept of ‘Fishermen’s Song at Eventide’, the room design creates a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere through elements such as fishing nets, village architecture and sunset light.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026
In case no one has noticed, take a look at all the devices hanging from nets or fences at baseball fields.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
Red, blue, suits, ties, cast nets and sunscreen.
—Justin Tramble, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2026
The question of how the Bruins would put enough pucks in nets was one asked not just inside team offices but also around the league.
—Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2026
The fact that fishing nets were found in these same deep-sea survey areas sharpens the urgency of that designation.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
Snowflakes drift down like tiny nets, moving slowly and exposing lots of surface area, gathering more pollutants than fast-falling raindrops.
—Isabel Lopez, Parents, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
The United States’s $38 trillion national debt now nets an annual interest bill of another trillion dollars each year.
—Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
Orlando striking a deal now nets the club some financial windfall rather than losing him on a free transfer.
—Tom Bogert, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Suno users generate 7 million new tracks a day, which every two weeks nets out to about as many songs as exist on Spotify.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 22 Dec. 2025
The good news is that there are still some last-chance Cyber Monday deals, such as this fantastic Walmart deal, which nets you over $1000 off the Sony A7R V camera.
—Chris McMullen, Space.com, 2 Dec. 2025
That money nets him a seafood feast in the French port city of Marseille.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 15 Nov. 2025
Each player on the winning team nets $530,933 this season, while players on the second-place team receive $212,373.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 8 Nov. 2025
There’s no time like the present to copy Reese Witherspoon’s loungewear look — Spanx is running a bundle deal that nets you two items for 15 percent off.
—Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
For Kappahl, Hedin continued, staying within a consistent style—rather than trend chasing—nets a greater intersectional gain.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nets. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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