catch 1 of 2

Definition of catchnext
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as in to chase
to move fast enough to get even with despite the suspect's considerable lead, the fleet-footed police officer was able to catch him and make an arrest

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

catch

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noun

1
as in hitch
a danger or difficulty that is hidden or not easily recognized the catch is that you have to come up with the money by tomorrow

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
as in prize
someone or something unusually desirable everyone thought the captain of the football team was a real catch

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in haul
the total amount collected or obtained especially at one time the total catch for our day at the creek was six fish and a crab

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb catch contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of catch are bag, capture, ensnare, entrap, snare, and trap. While all these words mean "to come to possess or control by or as if by seizing," catch implies the seizing of something in motion or in flight or in hiding.

caught the dog as it ran by

Where would bag be a reasonable alternative to catch?

The words bag and catch are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bag implies shooting down a fleeing or distant prey.

bagged a brace of pheasants

When is capture a more appropriate choice than catch?

While the synonyms capture and catch are close in meaning, capture suggests taking by overcoming resistance or difficulty.

capture an enemy stronghold

How are the words entrap and ensnare related as synonyms of catch?

Both entrap and ensnare more often are figurative.

entrapped the witness with a trick question
a sting operation that ensnared burglars

How is trap related to other words for catch?

Trap, snare, entrap, and ensnare imply seizing by some device that holds the one caught at the mercy of the captor. Trap and snare apply more commonly to physical seizing.

trap animals
snared butterflies with a net

How does the verb catch contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of catch are bag, capture, ensnare, entrap, snare, and trap. While all these words mean "to come to possess or control by or as if by seizing," catch implies the seizing of something in motion or in flight or in hiding.

caught the dog as it ran by

Where would bag be a reasonable alternative to catch?

The words bag and catch are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bag implies shooting down a fleeing or distant prey.

bagged a brace of pheasants

When is capture a more appropriate choice than catch?

While the synonyms capture and catch are close in meaning, capture suggests taking by overcoming resistance or difficulty.

capture an enemy stronghold

How are the words entrap and ensnare related as synonyms of catch?

Both entrap and ensnare more often are figurative.

entrapped the witness with a trick question
a sting operation that ensnared burglars

How is trap related to other words for catch?

Trap, snare, entrap, and ensnare imply seizing by some device that holds the one caught at the mercy of the captor. Trap and snare apply more commonly to physical seizing.

trap animals
snared butterflies with a net

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 catch
Verb
So, as the British royal family tries to put some distance between them and the scandal, the two are caught in the middle. Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 22 Apr. 2026 Great form, delivers it high where only the receiver can catch it. Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Noun
The rare catch was also a first for the boat's mate. Bri Buckley, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026 Guest-only experiences like catch-and-cook fishing outings and sunset yacht tours allow travelers to see—and taste—a different side of Charleston. Karla Walsh, Travel + Leisure, 19 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for catch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catch
Verb
  • At one point, one of his attackers grab’s Pierre’s hoodie and throws him to the ground.
    Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
  • The cat lunged, grabbed Bender’s arm, and just as quickly, the hunter shook it off, and the animal bolted.
    Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • At that moment Contreras made perhaps the biggest play of the game, eschewing the easy force play on McGonigle at first and making the considerably more challenging throw to second to get the lead runner.
    Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
  • In 2024-25, the Lightning went 29-8-4 at home during the regular season and pushed to get home-ice advantage over the Panthers by finishing second in the Atlantic Division.
    Eduardo A. Encina, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • On the mound for Monday’s 2-0 win, pitch count was the only thing that could stop Toma.
    Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026
  • If nerves come up, that’s part of the process, not a reason to stop.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The city has also secured support from the Sacramento Regional Incident Management Team to assist with coordination throughout the day.
    Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
  • The platform also automates secure payment processing and file delivery, enabling a seamless fulfillment without creators needing to lift a finger.
    The Editors of ARTnews, ARTnews.com, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Los Angeles police said Burke, 21, who is known by the name D4vd, is being held without bail, and the case will be presented to the District Attorney’s Office on Monday.
    City News Service, Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026
  • There’s a large homeschooling population, and, about fifteen miles from downtown, a Catholic organization runs a property affectionately known as Catholic Familyland—a cross between a summer camp and a retreat center.
    Emma Green, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Don’t let Sewanee, Tennessee’s, tiny size trick you into dismissing it.
    Jennifer Stewart Kornegay, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026
  • But in the end, the gang manages to trick Soldier Boy into going for an empty tube while Frenchie dons a gas mask and pours out the virus.
    Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • And yes, any one person who does it might not be encountered often, but the older person may encounter it multiple times (from different people) in the same week.
    R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
  • The department has encountered legal challenges to the firings.
    Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • But as the 21-year-old cornerback approaches the NFL Draft projected as a second-round pick, those closest to him remember when his size was the first thing people noticed, and often the only thing.
    Tyler Carmona, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2026
  • Take our recent example game’s score of eight to six with a goal of 10 points; Fermat would notice that the game must end within five coin flips.
    Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 19 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Catch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/catch. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.

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