prize 1 of 4

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

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
Her victory paved the way for progress, including equal prize money at the US Open, where today men and women now compete for the same $5 million prize. Shelley Zalis, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025 Three other people won big prizes at the casino over the weekend. Helena Wegner, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
Labradors are often more energetic and bred for hunting, retrieving, and service work, whereas goldens are prized for their patience, friendliness, and trainability. Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025 The Las Vegas formula of maximalism—24/7 noise, crowds, queues, and constant spend—clashes with a mood that prizes sleep, space, and self-regulation. Dave Smith, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prize
Noun
  • For the first time, fans can get up close to huge numbers of Bowie's treasures, from his groundbreaking costumes to his favourite instruments.
    Robbie Griffiths, NPR, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The franchise revolves around the planet Pandora, a dangerous world full of alien treasures that attracts Vault Hunters from across the universe looking for the next big score.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Gaga took home Artist of the Year at the VMAs, accepting her award at the start of the show before traveling from UBS Arena on Long Island to MSG in Manhattan for her show.
    Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Similar arrangements were made with the skeleton crew and award-winning department heads.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Harry Dean Stanton is excellent.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Moisture recovery ranged from good to excellent, with morning relative humidity levels between 55% and 88%.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The gems do just enough to keep the top decent, with a few hanging pieces across her bellybutton.
    Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Nestled in the rolling hills of Capay Valley--45 minutes from Sacramento--this unexpected gem offers more than just slot machines and poker tables.
    David Weiss, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In 2020, he was awarded with the National Book Award’s Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, and has received other accolades such as a PEN USA Lifetime Achievement Award, the Robert Kirsch Award and several Edgar and NAACP Image Awards.
    Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The accolades keep coming for Lilo, the immersive 22-seat fine-dining restaurant that opened in April in Carlsbad.
    Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Yet his work does demand greater attention.
    Mark Holgate, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Europe staged one of the greatest comebacks in Ryder Cup history, winning eight matches and halving another to clinch the Cup by half a point.
    Tim Corlett, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • During the Edwardian period and early 20th century, luxury fur coats, full-length wraps, stoles, and extravagant collars were at the height of fashion—as much a symbol of wealth as any jewel.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
  • But the crown jewel will be the world’s highest observation deck at 644 meters (2,112 feet), providing panoramic 360-degree views that will undoubtedly become one of Earth’s most photographed vantage points.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • For years, those on the radical left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis and the world’s worst mass murderers and criminals.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Stargazing is a wonderful pursuit that appeals to both the casual and dedicated observer, but views outside of cities are often much clearer and brighter thanks to different levels of light pollution.
    Harry Bennett, Space.com, 11 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prize. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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