Definition of bagnext
1
2
as in purse
a container for carrying money and small personal items she keeps her keys, phone, and wallet each in separate compartments in her bag so that she always knows where they are

Synonyms & Similar Words

bag

2 of 2

verb

1
2
3
as in to leave
to give up (a job or office) if the supervisor says one more nasty thing to me, I'm going to bag this stupid job

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
5

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb bag contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of bag are capture, catch, ensnare, entrap, snare, and trap. While all these words mean "to come to possess or control by or as if by seizing," bag implies shooting down a fleeing or distant prey.

bagged a brace of pheasants

Where would capture be a reasonable alternative to bag?

The words capture and bag can be used in similar contexts, but capture suggests taking by overcoming resistance or difficulty.

capture an enemy stronghold

When is it sensible to use catch instead of bag?

While in some cases nearly identical to bag, 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 bag?

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 bag?

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 bag
Noun
The trailer contained a makeshift toilet fashioned from an upside-down plastic bucket, a trash bag and a toilet seat, according to prosecutors. Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026 That movement has roots within Gen Z, too, as young people host phone-free parties and carry analog bags. Rachel Hale, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Verb
Trash that can’t fit in the toter should be bagged before setting out by the curb with the trash can, Bonta said. Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026 For that reason, any hair collected from the traps is bagged and documented to be sent back to Morin’s lab in Mississippi for genetic testing. John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bag
Noun
  • The backpack is also designed with a padded laptop sleeve, several pockets, and a detachable pouch for storing valuables or toiletries.
    Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2026
  • For the first time, Gallup asked about consumption of nicotine pouches, small sachets placed between the upper lip and gum that allow direct absorption of nicotine into the bloodstream.
    Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • These shoes accompanied shorts, a white T-shirt, polka dot sunglasses and a YSL purse.
    Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The tour on Monday revealed plans for PGA Tour Charities ahead of the season-ending Tour Championship, which has a $40 million purse that awards $10 million to the winner.
    ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Anything that protrudes above the shallow, insulating snow cover is more prone to being damaged by the cold and wind or eaten by wildlife, said plant ecologist Anne Bjorkman of the University of Gothenburg in Sweden.
    ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Other animals on-site include a stable full of horses and Cowboy the tortoise, who is about the size of a lawnmower and whose head protrudes from what looks like a Venus flytrap made of bone.
    Emma Madden, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Mishka Wilonski had just grabbed pizza from a nearby shop and was walking outside with a friend when the crash happened.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Michael grabbed him, rushed out of the house, and blew through several red lights on the way to the hospital.
    Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • First, the power goes out, leaving Bret wandering the halls as lights flicker around him.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Top Gear has not been on air since 2022, but a return was always likely, given the BBC Studios franchise is too big to leave in the garage.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • All the drama from last week’s showdown with the season-21 designers is resolved by season 22 winning the unconventional-materials challenge.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Chidgasornpongse won best director in the Asian New Talent competition at the Shanghai International Film Festival, where Sompop Songkampol also took best actor.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Some soldiers distinguished themselves by helping to render emergency trauma response and first aid to civilians, earning individual service commendations, according to the Arkansas National Guard.
    Neal Earley, Arkansas Online, 29 Aug. 2026
  • On Monday, those five writers — also DSA-LA members — panned the idea of an endorsement, saying Raman hasn’t earned it.
    Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Mills, a fifth-round pick in 2025, recorded his first career sack in the Super Bowl, and could be in line for more snaps in his second season after missing most of his rookie campaign due to injury.
    Andrew Destin, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The Bruins’ defense managed just 10 sacks and 40 tackles for loss last season — both worst in the FBS.
    Beth Harris, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bag. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!