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
Four prizes remain unclaimed, including a pair of drawings from the holiday weekend, according to the CT Lottery. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2025 The winner of the five-race bracket-style tournament takes home a $1 million prize. Jay Cohen, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 July 2025
Verb
Outside the human body, HAp is prized for its strength and biocompatibility. Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 19 June 2025 In prizing visceral impact over narrative clarity, the film sometimes leaves too many unanswered questions, but there isn’t much time to criticize while the film is racing forward. Stephen Farber, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for prize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prize
Noun
  • If the happy memories some people deposit in the Antidote’s vaults are treasures, then so, in a sense, are the ones that could have brought justice.
    Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 27 June 2025
  • When word spreads about an ancient treasure ship discovered off the Korean coast, the uncle-nephew duo races against time and rival treasure hunters to claim their fortune.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • The maximum possible award was $7,395 during the 2024-25 school year.
    Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2025
  • This means taking positive press mentions or third-party validation (like interviews, features or awards) and weaving them into email campaigns, sales decks or social posts to build trust with new audiences. 3.
    Gianluca Ferruggia, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • This would not have been possible without tireless work from our excellent lawyers @TheJusticeDept and our Solicitor General John Sauer.
    Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025
  • Along the way, there have been some other expressions as well, including single barrel, barrel-proof whiskeys, a series of excellent cask-strength American single malts, and rye whiskeys made with different grain varietals.
    Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • Now’s your chance to save on all sorts of smart home improvement gems—no coupon needed.
    Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 8 July 2025
  • Perfect for those who want a Yosemite vista without the more strenuous hikes, Artist Point is an accessible gem that never disappoints.
    AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • With a growing list of accolades, Lui and Wong are leading a new wave of emotionally intelligent, human-centric design in Asia and beyond.
    Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Business success isn’t just a matter of booming sales, innovative technology, or record-breaking accolades.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • This is a great NBA Summer League matchup; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
  • This is a great day to schmooze with friends and members of groups and organizations.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • The wigs depicted by Yang in her paintings are mounted on Chinese opera mask stands and they are decorated with flowers, jewels, wheat, grasses and fruit.
    Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The annual event, which kicked off Wednesday with a 250,000-plus-person attendance, is the crowning jewel of music festivals.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • Colleagues, mentors and friends are wonderful sources of feedback.
    Kim Salem-Jackson, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • These tender, buttery peas are wonderful in any number of dishes, but our new favorite just might be this black-eyed pea dip.
    Mary Claire Britton, Southern Living, 30 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Prize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prize. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

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