1
as in grabs
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly
we tried to catch the kitten before she could sneak out the door
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gets
to become affected with (a disease or disorder)
you'll catch the flu for sure if you don't get a shot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stops
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 secures
to put securely in place or in a desired position
caught back her hair with a barrette
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in knows
to have a clear idea of
I didn't catch the point you were making about our nation's foreign policy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in deceives
to cause to believe what is untrue
a number of media outlets were caught by the woman's hard-luck story
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in encounters
to come upon face-to-face or as if face-to-face
I'll catch you at the library tomorrow
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in notices
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in overtakes
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in hitches
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 prizes
someone or something unusually desirable
everyone thought the captain of the football team was a real catch
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in yields
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of catches
Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Your keen insight catches what others miss — even a small domestic shift can turn nagging stress into quiet stability that feeds body and mind!
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2026
During the talk, Cindy catches Miss Mann sniffing women's underwear, then stuffing it back into her desk.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
What happens after security catches the person?
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Feb. 2026
Mack Hollins of the New England Patriots catches a touchdown reception against Riq Woolen of the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LX.
—CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
These backroads teach a different rhythm — the wonders of going the long way, of stopping when something catches your eye, of noticing beauty that doesn’t shout for attention.
—Josh Jackson, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
All told, the 5-foot-11, 180-pound Shaheed, 27, who also catches passes and runs reverses, had a big say in Seattle’s two extra-large wins over the Rams.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Witten has the fourth-most catches overall (1,228) and second-most receiving yards among tight ends (13,046) in league history.
—Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
The receiver fit in well with quarterback Dak Prescott and the Dallas offense, finishing the campaign with 93 catches for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
Chism needed 11 catches to break Kupp’s single-season record during his season finale, his senior year.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
But one of Kupp’s catches went for a touchdown, the score that ultimately broke the Rams’ back and proved to be the final points needed to secure a trip to the Bay Area.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
Receiver Jackson Maggiore, who had 42 catches for 903 yards and 10 TDs, is on his way to Duke.
—John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
Quarterback Dak Prescott said the Cowboys must get a deal done with Pickens as the wide receiver notched career highs in catches (93), yards (1,429) and touchdowns (9) and has put himself in line for a major payday from the Cowboys or another team.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Feb. 2026
McCaffrey also received All-Pro designation this season after totaling 1,202 rushing yards, 924 receiving yards and 17 total touchdowns, not including his two touchdown catches that keyed the 49ers’ wild-card playoff win at Philadelphia.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2026
The Cards needed receivers and got a good one in Richardson, who led Vanderbilt with 806 receiving yards and seven touchdown catches, and a promising young talent in McCoy.
—Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
Although the paint job catches the eye, the new stands, which cost about $87,000 each, have several features that will be helpful to lifeguards and beachgoers.
—Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Your keen insight catches what others miss — even a small domestic shift can turn nagging stress into quiet stability that feeds body and mind!
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2026
During the talk, Cindy catches Miss Mann sniffing women's underwear, then stuffing it back into her desk.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
What happens after security catches the person?
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Feb. 2026
Mack Hollins of the New England Patriots catches a touchdown reception against Riq Woolen of the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LX.
—CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
These backroads teach a different rhythm — the wonders of going the long way, of stopping when something catches your eye, of noticing beauty that doesn’t shout for attention.
—Josh Jackson, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
All told, the 5-foot-11, 180-pound Shaheed, 27, who also catches passes and runs reverses, had a big say in Seattle’s two extra-large wins over the Rams.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Witten has the fourth-most catches overall (1,228) and second-most receiving yards among tight ends (13,046) in league history.
—Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
The third-year player had 119 catches for an NFL-leading 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
The receiver fit in well with quarterback Dak Prescott and the Dallas offense, finishing the campaign with 93 catches for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
Chism needed 11 catches to break Kupp’s single-season record during his season finale, his senior year.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
But one of Kupp’s catches went for a touchdown, the score that ultimately broke the Rams’ back and proved to be the final points needed to secure a trip to the Bay Area.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
Receiver Jackson Maggiore, who had 42 catches for 903 yards and 10 TDs, is on his way to Duke.
—John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
Quarterback Dak Prescott said the Cowboys must get a deal done with Pickens as the wide receiver notched career highs in catches (93), yards (1,429) and touchdowns (9) and has put himself in line for a major payday from the Cowboys or another team.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Feb. 2026
McCaffrey also received All-Pro designation this season after totaling 1,202 rushing yards, 924 receiving yards and 17 total touchdowns, not including his two touchdown catches that keyed the 49ers’ wild-card playoff win at Philadelphia.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2026
The Cards needed receivers and got a good one in Richardson, who led Vanderbilt with 806 receiving yards and seven touchdown catches, and a promising young talent in McCoy.
—Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catches
Verb
-
Soon thereafter, a gear fishing pal of yours gifted you an old, unused fly rod, and that totally grabs a hold of you and completely directs the rest of your life.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The man grabs her and also takes her cell phone.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The bill would still allow Irvine to complain to authorities if a neighbor’s party gets too loud.—
Mark Dee,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Feb. 2026
-
As the water boils and the microwave interior gets steamy, your kitchen will fill with the soothing smell.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
According to the death certificate from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office, obtained by Rolling Stone, O’Hara’s immediate cause of death was a pulmonary embolism (a clot that stops blood from flowing to an artery in the lung).—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
9 Feb. 2026
-
In between dancing and singing and falling backward in the hands of fellow performers, Bad Bunny stops at what looks like a bar on set to get a drink from none other than Brooklyn’s legendary owner of one of the last surviving Puerto Rican social clubs in New York City.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The movie follows the story of Elliot (Hoffman), an unmotivated twenty-something who secures a job with artist and provocateur Erika Tracy (Wilde).—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The subcontractor uses his leverage by threatening to stop his collaboration unless Heike secures more hours and revenue for him.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
And by now everybody knows our crew runs the tightest and deadliest ship on the water.—
Alex Suskind,
Pitchfork,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Nobody quite knows what happens to volumes if a drug price is cut, Rothschild & Co Redburn analyst Simon Baker told CNBC.—
Elsa Ohlen,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In a statement issued Friday, the commission accused X of using its 'blue checkmark' in a way that deceives users.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
5 Dec. 2025
-
The fragmentary Ni 12501 tablet from the Early Dynastic III period of Mesopotamia breaks off when Fox deceives the inhabitants of the netherworld in his quest to retrieve the storm god Ishkur.—
Rafil Kroll-Zaidi,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
When a kid encounters a difficult teacher, a parent might want to intervene.—
Russell Shaw,
The Atlantic,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Every few years, usually in December, the system encounters a Dunkelflaute — an energy drought lasting a week or two, with little wind and little sun.—
Alex Pavlak,
Baltimore Sun,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In the footage, the person approaches the front door, notices the camera and tries to cover the lens with their hand.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Hart also shared that staying hydrated has been a challenge for her over the years, joking that her husband, musician Mark Wilkerson, notices her dislike for drinking water.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Catches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catches. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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