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

To help build that picture, Heinzerling and team got on court with Nadal, with camera operators dodging tennis balls and sliding and capturing moments of Nadal with his young son and wife at home. — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 9 Aug. 2026 Bronin upset Larson in a stunning victory to win the party convention’s endorsement and capture the top line on the primary ballot. — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2026

Noun

The frame of an orb web is not sticky, as the glue lies mainly on the capture spiral. — Aliasger K. Salem, The Conversation, 4 Aug. 2026 Last month, it was announced that a live stage capture of the London production — led by Escola, Michael Urie, and a number of original cast members from Broadway and across the pond — will be filmed for a future theatrical release. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for capture

Recent Examples of Synonyms for capture

Verb

In the last few years, Penn State’s singular focus – to win a national championship – clouded everything else.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
The club was rebuilding after the 1958 Munich air disaster but won a first post-Munich trophy, the FA Cup, earlier that year.

— Andy Mitten, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of win

Verb

Profanity also grabs attention since the shock value of an F-bomb can lead to more media coverage and clips circulating on social media.

— Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Alice slowly gets Marshall to lie on the floor, grabs the bottle of whiskey, and pours it into his mouth with glee.

— Erin Qualey, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of grab

Verb

Also, after the first round, each mini-game has a separate metagame, where one or more players have a secret goal to meet without getting caught.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
Many fans have been playing the game for years and aren't necessarily into a radical change on such a huge mechanic like catching passes.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of catch

Verb

Huckabee noted that this partnership played out in a variety of areas, including military cooperation, especially as both worked to stop the Iranian regime from gaining nuclear arms.

— Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026
The practice gained prominence under successive state administrations, with governments providing couples with wedding necessities and financial assistance.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of gain

Verb

At home, Indian authorities moved aggressively, seizing his properties and luxury assets, from high-end cars to jewelry and artworks.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
President Min Aung Hlaing, the former army chief who had originally seized power in 2021 from Suu Kyi’s civilian government, has been trying to win political legitimacy since the takeover and resume relations with ASEAN.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of seize

Verb

Los Angeles gave up three promising prospects for what might be a short-term rental of the 29-year-old Skubal, who will likely reap the benefits of free agency this winter.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Unsurprisingly, firms reaping profits from the AI boom steal the show.

— Naazneen Karmali, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of reap

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captors

capture

captured

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“Capture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/capture. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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