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
Any person winning $600 or more worth of prizes from a Sponsor in a calendar year will receive an IRS form 1099 after the end of the calendar year in which the prizes were awarded and copy of such form will be filed with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Jeff Spry, Space.com, 5 Nov. 2025 Also among those supporting the challengers are a large group of national security experts from previous Republican and Democratic administrations and a similarly diverse set of 44 economists on both the left and right, including four Nobel prize winners. Nina Totenberg, NPR, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
Ferrara, an innocent no longer, is angling to prize $25,000 out of the Horse’s coffers to finance his first feature. Nick Pinkerton, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025 In the Chiefs’ offense, a running back skilled at catching passes is valued, and a wide receiver with good end-around speed is prized. Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prize
Noun
  • The site is one of Afghanistan’s architectural treasures and a major point of pilgrimage, believed by some to be the resting place of Hazrat Ali, the fourth Caliph of Islam and the son-in-law of Prophet Mohammad.
    Masoud Popalzai, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2025
  • Skilled crews have stolen treasure worth millions Just hours after the infamous Louvre heist, another French museum was robbed of 2,000 silver and gold coins worth more than $100,000.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The district board is set to adopt its 2025-26 grant award list at its regular meeting Tuesday.
    Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Durant is one of just five players to win consecutive Finals MVP awards, alongside Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.
    Jordy Fee-Platt, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • This is where the Greenpoint comes from, an excellent neo-classic riff on a Manhattan that was invented at Milk & Honey in New York, and comprises the classic build of Manhattan—rye, sweet vermouth, and bitters—into which has been spliced the inimitable French herbal liqueur, Yellow Chartreuse.
    Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The Jayhawks did an excellent job of getting back in transition, limiting Louisville’s fast-break opportunities.
    Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The psych-pop gem, originally released as Tame Impala’s debut single in 2009, hadn’t appeared on a tour setlist since 2018.
    Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 2 Nov. 2025
  • Carved into 50,000 carats of jewels, the aquamarine became a global ambassador for Brazilian craftsmanship, cementing both the country’s reputation for fine gems and Sauer’s name in the industry.
    Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Federal investigation reveals wide criminal net Browse the website of Chen’s Prince Group, and the company’s public image is one of charitable endeavors, business accolades and awards for corporate social responsibility initiatives, large donations to anti-Covid efforts, and education programs.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Awarded writers and filmmakers received accolades from industry partners including AMC Networks, Enderby Entertainment, Josephson Entertainment and the Writers Guild of America East.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • WeRide is a member of this year’s Future 50, Fortune’s annual ranking of companies with the greatest potential for growth.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
  • After looking over the latest update from Jim Bowden, the odds of Bregman staying with the Red Sox are not looking too great currently.
    Drew VonScio, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Its influence ricocheted through decades of homages, from Madonna to Ryan Gosling, proof that a perfect jewel-box tableau never dulls.
    Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The actor, who portrayed dapper casino thief Danny Ocean in Ocean's Eleven and its sequels, reflected on the audacious burglary in which a group of thieves stole more than $100 million worth of historic jewels from Paris' foremost museum on Sunday.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The Christos honored their promise by gifting me with a wonderful collage in addition to my one-dollar paycheck.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
  • That scene was so incredibly awkward… and wonderful.
    Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Nov. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prize. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.

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