prize 1 of 4

Definition of prizenext

prize

2 of 4

adjective

prize

3 of 4

verb (1)

1
2
as in to pull
to raise, move, or pull apart with or as if with a lever trying to prize apart the jammed gears

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

prize

4 of 4

verb (2)

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun prize differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of prize are booty, loot, plunder, spoils, and spoil. While all these words mean "something taken from another by force or craft," prize applies to spoils captured on the high seas or territorial waters of the enemy.

the wartime right of seizing prizes at sea

Where would booty be a reasonable alternative to prize?

The meanings of booty and prize largely overlap; however, booty implies plunder to be shared among confederates.

thieves dividing up their booty

When would loot be a good substitute for prize?

While the synonyms loot and prize are close in meaning, loot applies especially to what is taken from victims of a catastrophe.

picked through the ruins for loot

When might plunder be a better fit than prize?

Although the words plunder and prize have much in common, plunder applies to what is taken not only in war but in robbery, banditry, grafting, or swindling.

a bootlegger's plunder

How do spoil and spoils relate to one another, in the sense of prize?

Spoil, more commonly spoils, applies to what belongs by right or custom to the victor in war or political contest.

the spoils of political victory

How does the noun prize differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of prize are booty, loot, plunder, spoils, and spoil. While all these words mean "something taken from another by force or craft," prize applies to spoils captured on the high seas or territorial waters of the enemy.

the wartime right of seizing prizes at sea

Where would booty be a reasonable alternative to prize?

The meanings of booty and prize largely overlap; however, booty implies plunder to be shared among confederates.

thieves dividing up their booty

When would loot be a good substitute for prize?

While the synonyms loot and prize are close in meaning, loot applies especially to what is taken from victims of a catastrophe.

picked through the ruins for loot

When might plunder be a better fit than prize?

Although the words plunder and prize have much in common, plunder applies to what is taken not only in war but in robbery, banditry, grafting, or swindling.

a bootlegger's plunder

How do spoil and spoils relate to one another, in the sense of prize?

Spoil, more commonly spoils, applies to what belongs by right or custom to the victor in war or political contest.

the spoils of political victory

How does the noun prize differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of prize are booty, loot, plunder, spoils, and spoil. While all these words mean "something taken from another by force or craft," prize applies to spoils captured on the high seas or territorial waters of the enemy.

the wartime right of seizing prizes at sea

Where would booty be a reasonable alternative to prize?

The meanings of booty and prize largely overlap; however, booty implies plunder to be shared among confederates.

thieves dividing up their booty

When would loot be a good substitute for prize?

While the synonyms loot and prize are close in meaning, loot applies especially to what is taken from victims of a catastrophe.

picked through the ruins for loot

When might plunder be a better fit than prize?

Although the words plunder and prize have much in common, plunder applies to what is taken not only in war but in robbery, banditry, grafting, or swindling.

a bootlegger's plunder

How do spoil and spoils relate to one another, in the sense of prize?

Spoil, more commonly spoils, applies to what belongs by right or custom to the victor in war or political contest.

the spoils of political victory

How does the noun prize differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of prize are booty, loot, plunder, spoils, and spoil. While all these words mean "something taken from another by force or craft," prize applies to spoils captured on the high seas or territorial waters of the enemy.

the wartime right of seizing prizes at sea

Where would booty be a reasonable alternative to prize?

The meanings of booty and prize largely overlap; however, booty implies plunder to be shared among confederates.

thieves dividing up their booty

When would loot be a good substitute for prize?

While the synonyms loot and prize are close in meaning, loot applies especially to what is taken from victims of a catastrophe.

picked through the ruins for loot

When might plunder be a better fit than prize?

Although the words plunder and prize have much in common, plunder applies to what is taken not only in war but in robbery, banditry, grafting, or swindling.

a bootlegger's plunder

How do spoil and spoils relate to one another, in the sense of prize?

Spoil, more commonly spoils, applies to what belongs by right or custom to the victor in war or political contest.

the spoils of political victory

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 prize
Noun
The ticket includes unlimited water and soda during the hunt, mocktail tastings, tote bag with one prize egg and a T-shirt. Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026 Netflix’s The Chair may also take the prize for reading academia to its purest filth. Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
Xi has sometimes prized loyalty over experience. Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2026 It is prized for its durability and breathability. Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 1 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prize
Noun
  • Mementos, memorabilia and treasures from Weintraub’s unique life will soon be hitting the auction block courtesy of Julien’s Auctions and Turner Classic Movies.
    Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2026
  • No one knows how the treasure ended up buried.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The Rookie of the Year award, voted on by a panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters, will be announced early in the postseason.
    Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2026
  • Paisley has won several awards, including three Grammys, two American Music Awards, 15 Academy of Country Music Awards and 14 Country Music Association Awards.
    WCCO Staff, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Alliums are excellent neighbors to beets, brassicas, tomatoes, and more.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Apr. 2026
  • This bracelet makes an excellent Mother’s Day jewelry gift.
    Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Aside from being a practical closet staple, the reviews really convinced me that this dress is a gem.
    Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 11 Apr. 2026
  • The brutal winter took out much of Southold Town Beach's sand and parking lot, forcing the North Fork gem to close for swimming this summer.
    Carolyn Gusoff, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Over the course of her career, Bhosle was nominated for two Grammys and was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke award - India’s top arts accolade and also the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honour.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2026
  • Always more about the team than individual accolades, Kon Knueppel couldn’t help but acknowledge the trajectory.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Chernyshov is a big, strong (6-foot-3, about 200 pounds) winger and modern power-forward type where driving is a part of his identity, but not to a bullish fault as his only focus, and his skill/finesse might take on greater emphasis.
    Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
  • Polish Remover Wipes are TSA-approved and great for travel.
    Tory Johnson, ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Following Princess Margaret’s death in 2002, its whereabouts remained unclear, adding to its reputation as a missing royal jewel.
    Christopher Luu, InStyle, 9 Apr. 2026
  • The Broward Center, built in 1991, is a critical economic jewel for the city, Hooper said.
    Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • But that is the context of a wonderful performance.
    Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
  • And serialization is a glorious, wonderful thing that happens automatically to a show that people love.
    Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prize. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.

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