as in imprisoned
taken and held prisoner
the captive soldiers were treated humanely by the guards
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 captive
Alann B. Steen, Outdoor Life, 10 July 2025
Gina is one of the three women kidnapped and held captive for nearly a decade by Ariel Castro in Cleveland before being rescued in 2013.
—Sarah Dahlberg, NBC news, 9 July 2025
Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025
However, Netanyahu has vowed to fight on until all remaining hostages being held in Gaza are returned, a position at odds with a group representing relatives of the captives.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for captive
Adjective
This editor’s note accompanied the original story: Held captive in Lebanon, Alann Steen faced the reality of a cold cell and iron chains, the terror of a city exploding with mortar rounds and gunfire.
—Alann B. Steen, Outdoor Life, 10 July 2025
Gina is one of the three women kidnapped and held captive for nearly a decade by Ariel Castro in Cleveland before being rescued in 2013.
—Sarah Dahlberg, NBC news, 9 July 2025
Noun
President Donald Trump has pressed for Israel and Hamas to clinch a ceasefire and secure the release of the remaining captives held in Gaza.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025
However, Netanyahu has vowed to fight on until all remaining hostages being held in Gaza are returned, a position at odds with a group representing relatives of the captives.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for captive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captive
prisoner
Noun
-
Their jailers offer the prisoners a deal: Option 1: If neither prisoner informs on the other, both will receive relatively light sentences.—
Michael Ashley,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
-
The Florida court contrived a weird and arbitrary compromise, granting new sentencing hearings only to death row prisoners whose sentences were considered final after 2002, when the U.S. court issued a decision that was a precursor to Hurst’s.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Captive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captive. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share