as in imprisoned
taken and held prisoner
the captive soldiers were treated humanely by the guards
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as in prisoner
one that has been taken and held in confinement
the captives in the concentration camp had devised a daring plan of escape
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Recent Examples of captive
The Editors, National Review, 24 Feb. 2025
Israel’s military has said Ms. Bibas and her sons were held captive by a smaller armed group in Gaza, the Mujahedeen Brigades.
—Isabel Kershner, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025
NBC News, 20 Feb. 2025
As with previous exchanges, Saturday’s hostage release was heavily choreographed, with the captives made to walk onto a stage and speak into microphones before a crowd in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip.
—Greg Norman, Fox News, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for captive
Adjective
There is heavy pressure coming from families of those held captive to strike a deal that would bring every last hostage home, especially as recent hostage releases have brought evidence and testimony of starvation and torture.
—The Editors, National Review, 24 Feb. 2025
Israel’s military has said Ms. Bibas and her sons were held captive by a smaller armed group in Gaza, the Mujahedeen Brigades.
—Isabel Kershner, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025
Noun
Among the bodies handed over by Hamas were those of Kfir and Ariel Bibas, the two youngest captives seized in the attack.
—NBC News, 20 Feb. 2025
As with previous exchanges, Saturday’s hostage release was heavily choreographed, with the captives made to walk onto a stage and speak into microphones before a crowd in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip.
—Greg Norman, Fox News, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for captive
Cite this Entry
“Captive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captive. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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