capture 1 of 2

verb

Definition of capturenext
1
as in to win
to receive as return for effort the movie's producers captured several awards for their work

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to grab
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly captured the cat just as it was about to escape out the front door

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

capture

2 of 2

noun

ˈkap-chər How to pronounce capture (audio)
as in prisoner
one that has been taken and held in confinement a Spanish treasure ship was the most valuable capture ever taken by that privateer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb capture contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of capture are bag, catch, ensnare, entrap, snare, and trap. While all these words mean "to come to possess or control by or as if by seizing," capture suggests taking by overcoming resistance or difficulty.

capture an enemy stronghold

In what contexts can bag take the place of capture?

In some situations, the words bag and capture are roughly equivalent. However, bag implies shooting down a fleeing or distant prey.

bagged a brace of pheasants

When is catch a more appropriate choice than capture?

The words catch and capture are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, catch implies the seizing of something in motion or in flight or in hiding.

caught the dog as it ran by

How do entrap and ensnare relate to one another, in the sense of capture?

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 capture?

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 capture
Verb
Watch: Drone footage captures recycling plant fire What does Windfield Recycling do? —Saleen Martin, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025 With the help of his camera, Anu tries to overcome his fear of coming out while capturing a twisted family portrait with an epic courtroom finale. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
Advertisement The capture in Goa Given his previous experience with the criminal, Zende was assigned to lead the operation to recapture him. —Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 5 Sep. 2025 After six months of barely evading capture, an escape plan was hatched that saw the soldier cross into Spain and eventual freedom. —Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for capture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for capture
  1. win
  2. grab
  3. prisoner
  4. earn
  5. catch
  6. gain
  7. seize
  8. reap
Verb
  • Charlotte forced five Tar Heels three-and-outs, held them to 33% on third-down attempts, and won the time of possession battle.
    — Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Even there, though, Green Bay’s 11-game winning streak against the Bears came to an end in Week 18 last season.
    — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Definition of win
Verb
  • Video surveillance from the scene posted online by Fox 11 shows a man lingering near a doorway, quickly grabbing the gift box from a table and running out of the venue.
    — Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The owner wanted to keep the grab-and-go options previously offered in the space.
    — La Risa R. Lynch, jsonline.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of grab
Noun
  • Every trip to the electric chair is horrifying; a sequence where an intentionally botched execution ignites a still-living prisoner's screaming head in ghoulish blue flames is up there with any supernatural fright King's ever conceived.
    — James Grebey, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Belarus' state news agency Belta said the prisoners freed on Thursday included 14 foreign nationals from Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, France, Britain and Germany.
    — Andrius Sytas, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of prisoner
Verb
  • The soap's sensual marketing theme earned mixed reactions on social media, with some users dubbing it a gimmick and questioning the item's cleanliness.
    — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Hilleary earned more than $213,000 in 2024 as Rose’s chief of staff, similar to several years prior, House office financial disbursement forms show.
    — David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of earn
Verb
  • Now, the Bears are close to catching back up, as the score is 27-24 at the time of this writing.
    — James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
  • In February, more than 40 people were killed in southern Mexico when a bus traveling to Tabasco from the tourist city of Cancun hit a trailer truck and caught fire.
    — Lizbeth Diaz, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
Definition of catch
Verb
  • This was the lowest yardage gained in a game under coach Zac Taylor.
    — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Shinjiro Koizumi, the telegenic political scion who has gained prominence as Ishiba’s farm minister tasked with trying to cap soaring prices, is another possible successor.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2025
Definition of gain
Verb
  • That initial investigation led the HPD to obtain a search warrant to seize electronic devices from the property associated with the IP address of the cyber tip, and the department investigated online communications.
    — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Sep. 2025
  • In addition, several firearms and drugs were seized from other residences, according to police.
    — Jack Moore, ABC News, 6 Sep. 2025
Definition of seize
Verb
  • Organizations that can reap benefits from ecosystems effectively leverage the dynamic networks, where no single player can succeed alone.
    — Edyta Pacuk, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • And now, five years later, the Guardians are still reaping the benefits of the deal.
    — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of reap

Browse Nearby Words

captors
capture
captured
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Cite this Entry

“Capture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/capture. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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