PRIZE Synonyms: 299 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

prize 1 of 4

noun

ˈprīz

Definition of prize

as in treasure

someone or something unusually desirable in the view of most of her friends, her current boyfriend is certainly no prize

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lemon
loser

as in award

something given in recognition of achievement the Pritzker Architecture Prize is the world's most prestigious honor in the field of architecture

Synonyms & Similar Words

prize

2 of 4

adjective

as in excellent

of the very best kind delighted to be guests at one of her prize dinner parties

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

prize

3 of 4

verb (1)

as in to pry

to draw out by force or with effort prizing the stubborn nails out of the board

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

join
connect

prize

4 of 4

verb (2)

as in to treasure

to hold dear veterinarians know that pets are highly prized by their owners

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Named for renowned Mexican architect Luis Barragán, the prize is a collaboration between La Cuadra, a cultural space outside Mexico City occupying a compound designed by Barragán and his protégé Andrés Casillas, and fashion brand Bottega Veneta. — News Desk, Artforum, 13 Oct. 2026 Doc Square gave out two new prizes at its documentary work-in-progress showcase. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026

Verb

The punch-worthy parody of Altman’s characterization ramps up once he’s motivated to push back against — or trample over — the safety guardrails that Ilya prizes above all else, but so does the depth of his world-breaking cynicism. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2026 Religion has harmed many; people fear proselytizing; soul language can sound fuzzy or exclusionary; literary culture prizes the secular and intellectual. — Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prize

Noun

According to character descriptions provided by the streamer, Mantzoukas plays Lambros, a local store owner and occasional looter of the treasures unearthed at the dig site.

— Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
The Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival is a treasure, and a public good Arkansans have reason to support.

— Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of treasure

Noun

Films by women directors have historically won few opportunities at the awards, making the haul a landmark for feminist filmmaking in the country.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Last season, in the Rams’ first four games, Stafford passed for eight touchdowns, with two interceptions, en route to a 3-1 start and what eventually became his run to a first MVP award.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of award

Adjective

Her shoes are already a favorite among industry insiders for their sleek appeal and excellent construction.

— Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
In late September, the concept was thrust back into the public consciousness thanks to a Variety interview with actor Jack Innanen, who plays the Canadian himbo Paul Baker on the excellent sitcom Adults.

— Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of excellent

Verb

Including company inventories, Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser estimated this week that more than 1 billion barrels have been pulled from stockpiles worldwide.

— Heather Occhino, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026
So strong was the Chicks’ commercial pull that their 2002 album Home—a trend-averse acoustic bluegrass album essentially recorded in secret—became a gargantuan hit, with two of its songs reaching the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.

— Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of pull

Verb

ElevenLabs established itself as one of the most highly valued of those startups this month with a $300 million employee tender, at a $22 billion price tag.

— Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026
At the top end of the price range, Jio Platforms is valued at around $108 billion, much lower than previously expected.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of value

Noun

Nestled a short stroll from the Griffith Park Ranger Station, near some tennis courts and not far from the remains of the park’s original zoo, lies a gem that is on most days behind lock and key.

— Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
Now, the world has started to discover a music movement that not so long ago was a hidden gem known only locally.

— Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of gem

Noun

Although only founded in 2016, the RIBA International Prize is arguably the most prestigious accolade awarded to a single building.

— Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026
The Mexican pop icon will receive the accolade in recognition of an exceptional career spanning over three decades and his enduring influence on Latin music.

— Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of accolade

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Prize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prize. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of prize

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adjective

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