PRIZE Synonyms: 299 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'prize' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of prize are booty , loot , plunder , spoils , and spoil . While all these words mean "something taken from another by force or craft," prize applies to spoils captured on the high seas or territorial waters of the enemy. // the wartime right of seizing prizes at sea

Q: Where would 'booty' be a reasonable alternative to 'prize'?

The meanings of booty and prize largely overlap; however, booty implies plunder to be shared among confederates. // thieves dividing up their booty

Q: When would 'loot' be a good substitute for 'prize'?

While the synonyms loot and prize are close in meaning, loot applies especially to what is taken from victims of a catastrophe. // picked through the ruins for loot

Q: When might 'plunder' be a better fit than 'prize'?

Although the words plunder and prize have much in common, plunder applies to what is taken not only in war but in robbery, banditry, grafting, or swindling. // a bootlegger's plunder

Q: How do 'spoil' and 'spoils' relate to one another, in the sense of 'prize'?

Spoil , more commonly spoils , applies to what belongs by right or custom to the victor in war or political contest. // the spoils of political victory

prize 1 of 4

noun

ˈprīz

Definition of prize next

as in treasure

someone or something unusually desirable in the view of most of her friends, her current boyfriend is certainly no prize

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lemon
loser

as in award

something given in recognition of achievement the Pritzker Architecture Prize is the world's most prestigious honor in the field of architecture

Synonyms & Similar Words

prize

2 of 4

adjective

as in excellent

of the very best kind delighted to be guests at one of her prize dinner parties

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

prize

3 of 4

verb (1)

as in to pry

to draw out by force or with effort prizing the stubborn nails out of the board

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to pull

to raise, move, or pull apart with or as if with a lever trying to prize apart the jammed gears

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

join
connect

prize

4 of 4

verb (2)

as in to treasure

to hold dear veterinarians know that pets are highly prized by their owners

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun prize differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of prize are booty, loot, plunder, spoils, and spoil. While all these words mean "something taken from another by force or craft," prize applies to spoils captured on the high seas or territorial waters of the enemy.

the wartime right of seizing prizes at sea

Where would booty be a reasonable alternative to prize?

The meanings of booty and prize largely overlap; however, booty implies plunder to be shared among confederates.

thieves dividing up their booty

When would loot be a good substitute for prize?

While the synonyms loot and prize are close in meaning, loot applies especially to what is taken from victims of a catastrophe.

picked through the ruins for loot

When might plunder be a better fit than prize?

Although the words plunder and prize have much in common, plunder applies to what is taken not only in war but in robbery, banditry, grafting, or swindling.

a bootlegger's plunder

How do spoil and spoils relate to one another, in the sense of prize?

Spoil, more commonly spoils, applies to what belongs by right or custom to the victor in war or political contest.

the spoils of political victory

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 prize

Noun

The potential prize is enormous. —

Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026 Also up for grabs are nine $200,000 prizes, 10 $50,000 prizes and hundreds of thousands of other prizes ranging from $50 to $10,000. —

Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 15 May 2026

Verb

Traits once seen as stabilizing — empathy, humility, shame — are recast as liabilities in a world that prizes speed, dominance and certainty. —

Sarah Davanzo, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2026 French hydrangeas are prized for their globe-like blooms, popping off like fireworks shows in gardens throughout the late spring and early summer. —

Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 9 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for prize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prize

Noun

On and Off the Avenue Rachel Syme hunts for vintage treasure.

— Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 15 May 2026
In the series, an ex-treasure-hunter and descendent of a famous pirate uncovers a lost diary that could lead to the mysterious and powerful Emperor’s Stone.

— Denise Petski, Deadline, 14 May 2026

Definition of treasure

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privy

prize

prized

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“Prize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prize. Accessed 22 May. 2026.

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Synonyms of prize

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adjective

verb (1)

verb (2)

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