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
In addition to their frequent public outings together and regular social media activity, the couple caught some criticism after their awkward CBS News appearance on April 27. —Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 10 May 2025 Garcia was headed to the dugout after the ninth pitch, satisfied that his sweeper had caught the top of the strike zone and struck Suarez out. —Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 10 May 2025
Noun
And here’s one more catch: The devil doesn’t want to wait for Jay’s soul. —Michael Schneider, Variety, 9 May 2025 On a pass from undrafted free agent Brady Cook, who was being pressured, Taylor made a catch for about a 20-yard gain. —Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 9 May 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
  • Combs returns to the scene shortly thereafter and appears to grab at the phone.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 14 May 2025
  • The third assistant director, referred to as Sarah, described Depardieu grabbing her buttocks and breasts on two separate occasions on set.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2025
Definition of grab
Verb
  • Proud to finally get AAA Insurance into victory lane.
    — Lydia Mee, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
  • Why are deals taking so long? Negotiating comprehensive trade deals can be a long, complicated process and some experts have questioned Trump's short timeline for getting so many deals done.
    — Zac Anderson, USA Today, 9 May 2025
Definition of get
Verb
  • One day, a man named Harold McPherson stopped to answer her, and not long after, the two married.
    — Dorothy Fortenberry, The Atlantic, 12 May 2025
  • Parts of the river so choked by weed that boat traffic was stopped were clear within days.
    — Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2025
Definition of stop
Verb
  • Anthony Edwards and the Wolves are just one win away from securing some rest ahead of the Western Conference Finals after taking down the Lakers in five, though their success against the Warriors sans Stephen Curry does come with a caveat.
    — Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
  • Technical expertise, discovery and inventory tools, and project planning assistance from a commercial OpenJDK provider can significantly help secure and maintain executive support and ultimately impact a successful transition.
    — Scott Sellers, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Definition of secure
Verb
  • The channel is known for its over-the-top stunts and contests.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 5 May 2025
  • The two probably are best known for their collaboration on Silver Linings Playbook.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 5 May 2025
Definition of know
Verb
  • The latest attacks follow recent patterns, mimicking Google’s own support to trick users into giving up credentials.
    — Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
  • Elsewhere in the film, the Irish vampire Remmick, pursued by Choctaw vampire hunters, tricks his way into the protection of a pair of Klan members living near Clarksdale and turns them into creatures of the night.
    — Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 2 May 2025
Definition of trick
Verb
  • Gone are the secondary weapon modes, grenades, chainsaws, and flamethrowers that made enemy encounters a complicated weapon and ammo juggling act.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 9 May 2025
  • The fact Maresca felt secure enough to make either selection — in the Conference League knockout stage, no less — underlines the total lack of jeopardy Chelsea have encountered on their road to the final in Wroclaw, save for one nervy second half in their qualifier against Servette back in August.
    — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 9 May 2025
Definition of encounter
Verb
  • Rosario said he's noticed an increase in Latino jockeys over the last two decades.
    — Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 3 May 2025
  • But editors noticed that this cake went beyond the classic grocery store flavors with a unique layer of filling in the center.
    — Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 3 May 2025
Definition of notice

Phrases Containing catch

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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 17 May. 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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