CAPTURE Synonyms: 130 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

capture 1 of 2

verb

Definition of capture

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

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

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

Upcycled and modern, the pieces include stunning sculptures, vast murals, and an immersive video wall by filmmaker Takashi Makino that captures Osaka’s changing seasons. — Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026 Unlike in Libya, where Moammar Gadhafi and his son Mutassim were captured and killed by rebels within months, the Assad regime retained its grip on power for years, brutally crushing protesters in the process. — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026

Noun

The Battle of Red Bank The Battle of Red Bank was a major upset victory for the patriots in what became known as the Philadelphia Campaign, a series of maneuvers and engagements that ultimately resulted in the capture of Philadelphia by the British. — Jennifer Janofsky, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026 In August 1776, Washington suffered a defeat that almost resulted in his capture. — Andrew O’Shaughnessy, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for capture

Recent Examples of Synonyms for capture

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

Definition of win

Noun

This was discontinued when SOE chiefs realized that a dagger would be the first thing taken from a prisoner.

— David Szondy August 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
West Virginia was one of a few states – alongside Maryland and Texas – to receive these excess urban prisoners.

— Ella Siegrist, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of prisoner

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

Definition of earn

Verb

Salas, 20, should soon become the youngest player to catch a big-league game since Ivan Rodriguez debuted with the Texas Rangers in 1991.

— Dennis Lin, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Fortunately, one of the most sensitive detectors ever constructed was buried there to catch that fleeting glow and record the neutrinos’ ghostly presence.

— Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of catch

Verb

Oswego finished seven of its 11 drives by scoring points and gained 483 yards.

— Jerry Birchfield, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
Iceland, which gained independence from Denmark in 1944, has a proud history of independence, of not allowing itself to be pushed around by bigger and richer European nations.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of gain

Verb

The Texas high school football season is underway, and several Fort Worth-area teams seized statement wins.

— Charles Baggarly August 29, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026
But while the Jets’ defense piled up takeaways, the rookie quarterback failed to seize the spotlight during the 23-6 loss to the Giants.

— Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of seize

Browse Nearby Words

captors

capture

captured

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

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Synonyms of capture

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noun

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