as in imprisoned
taken and held prisoner
the captive soldiers were treated humanely by the guards
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in prisoner
one that has been taken and held in confinement
the captives in the concentration camp had devised a daring plan of escape
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of captive
USA Today, 4 July 2025
About 50 hostages remain captive in Gaza, with less than half believed to be alive.
—Arkansas Online, 2 July 2025
Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025
However, Netanyahu has vowed to fight on until all remaining hostages being held in Gaza are returned, a position at odds with a group representing relatives of the captives.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for captive
Adjective
Ruby Chen, 55, the father of 19-year-old American-Israeli Itay, who is believed to have been killed after being taken captive, urged Netanyahu to return from meeting with Trump with a deal that brings back all hostages.
—USA Today, 4 July 2025
About 50 hostages remain captive in Gaza, with less than half believed to be alive.
—Arkansas Online, 2 July 2025
Noun
President Donald Trump has pressed for Israel and Hamas to clinch a ceasefire and secure the release of the remaining captives held in Gaza.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025
However, Netanyahu has vowed to fight on until all remaining hostages being held in Gaza are returned, a position at odds with a group representing relatives of the captives.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for captive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captive
prisoner
Noun
-
To do so, Nemo audaciously steals a prototype submarine from the penal colony in which he is imprisoned, escaping into the ocean with a motley crew of fellow prisoners.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
8 July 2025
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Sunday’s attack was the latest at a California state prison, nearly a month after CDCR officials briefly suspended inmate visitations in June after a surge in drug overdoses and violent attacks on prisoners and officers.—
Darrell Smith
July 7,
Sacbee.com,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Captive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captive. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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