catch 1 of 2

verb

ˈkach How to pronounce catch (audio)
Definition of catchnext
1
as in to grab
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly we tried to catch the kitten before she could sneak out the door

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2
as in to get
to become affected with (a disease or disorder) you'll catch the flu for sure if you don't get a shot

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3
as in to stop
to bring (something) to a standstill I caught myself just as I was about to step into the freshly poured concrete

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4
as in to secure
to put securely in place or in a desired position caught back her hair with a barrette

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5
as in to know
to have a clear idea of I didn't catch the point you were making about our nation's foreign policy

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6
as in to trick
to cause to believe what is untrue a number of media outlets were caught by the woman's hard-luck story

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7
as in to encounter
to come upon face-to-face or as if face-to-face I'll catch you at the library tomorrow

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8
as in to notice
to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes I looked out the window just in time to catch the neighbor's dog digging up my flower bed

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9
as in to chase
to move fast enough to get even with despite the suspect's considerable lead, the fleet-footed police officer was able to catch him and make an arrest

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catch

2 of 2

noun

1
as in hitch
a danger or difficulty that is hidden or not easily recognized the catch is that you have to come up with the money by tomorrow

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2
as in prize
someone or something unusually desirable everyone thought the captain of the football team was a real catch

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3
as in haul
the total amount collected or obtained especially at one time the total catch for our day at the creek was six fish and a crab

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb catch contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of catch are bag, capture, ensnare, entrap, snare, and trap. While all these words mean "to come to possess or control by or as if by seizing," catch implies the seizing of something in motion or in flight or in hiding.

caught the dog as it ran by

Where would bag be a reasonable alternative to catch?

The words bag and catch are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bag implies shooting down a fleeing or distant prey.

bagged a brace of pheasants

When is capture a more appropriate choice than catch?

While the synonyms capture and catch are close in meaning, capture suggests taking by overcoming resistance or difficulty.

capture an enemy stronghold

How are the words entrap and ensnare related as synonyms of catch?

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 catch?

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 catch
Verb
On Tuesday, Bloomberg reported that the mayor of Heath, Ohio — where work was paused — caught the city officials by surprise. —Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 17 Apr. 2025 The allegations against him came to light in July 2022 when his victim, who is now 13, was caught watching pornography and said Weems previously showed it to her, per WUSA, Baltimore Banner and CBS News. —Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Noun
The Royals had the tying run at second base when MJ Melendez smoked a line drive to right field with two outs in the ninth, but Bellinger robbed him of a would-be-game-tying hit with a full-extension diving catch. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2025 But, of course, there's a catch: Shopping at Costco requires a membership. —Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for catch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catch
  1. grab
  2. get
  3. stop
  4. secure
  5. know
  6. trick
  7. encounter
  8. notice
Verb
  • Antetokounmpo finished the game by scoring 36 points, grabbing 13 rebounds, and blocking two shots.
    — Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
  • So grab a pencil, a few colors or a coloring book and enjoy your boosted brain power.
    — Ann Kowal Smith, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of grab
Verb
  • Perry shared a series of photographs of Lucio growing up: at 3 months, 7 months, and a year old, with his hair getting longer and curlier each time, before bringing the now 18-month-old Lucio into the video.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
  • In the game, Joel intercedes by shoving the man, Seth, and telling him to get the hell out.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of get
Verb
  • When the American money stopped flowing, the local soup kitchen closed and Ms. Musa went out searching for food.
    — Declan Walsh, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The confrontation stopped and restarted as the man appeared to try to get the knife away from Perez over the fence.
    — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of stop
Verb
  • The last time the teams met, in Columbus in October 2024, Messi scored two goals to lead Miami to a 3-2 victory that secured the Supporters Shield.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The Spartans finished fourth in the session, but secured a No. 6 final ranking, their highest in program history.
    — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of secure
Verb
  • It was originally known as the Flavian Amphitheater, according to the location's website.
    — Ashley J. DiMella Fox News, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease after the baseball player who was diagnosed with it, the exact cause of the disease is still not known, although a small group of cases are inherited.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of know
Verb
  • Be Wary of Phishing Emails and Texts After a breach, scammers may impersonate the affected company to trick you into clicking malicious links.
    — Alex Vakulov, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • She was tricked by the very devilish Zeus, who broke his way into many marriages.
    — Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of trick
Verb
  • The investigating vessels encountered three Chinese coast guard vessels, whose movements became increasingly confrontational as their South Korean counterparts neared their destination at about 2:30 p.m. February 26, according to media accounts.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The server encountered a temporary error and could not complete your request.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of encounter
Verb
  • According to the Miami Herald, a separate guest stayed in the room with Tillman's dead body in the closet, but didn't notice it.
    — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The scenes take place in Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire, which is 750 miles to the north, but few viewers would notice the difference.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of notice

Phrases Containing catch

Browse Nearby Words

catcalls
catch
catch-22
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Cite this Entry

“Catch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catch. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on catch

Nglish: Translation of catch for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about catch

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