Definition of bagnext
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as in purse
a container for carrying money and small personal items she keeps her keys, phone, and wallet each in separate compartments in her bag so that she always knows where they are

Synonyms & Similar Words

bag

2 of 2

verb

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2
3
as in to leave
to give up (a job or office) if the supervisor says one more nasty thing to me, I'm going to bag this stupid job

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb bag contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of bag are capture, catch, ensnare, entrap, snare, and trap. While all these words mean "to come to possess or control by or as if by seizing," bag implies shooting down a fleeing or distant prey.

bagged a brace of pheasants

Where would capture be a reasonable alternative to bag?

The words capture and bag can be used in similar contexts, but capture suggests taking by overcoming resistance or difficulty.

capture an enemy stronghold

When is it sensible to use catch instead of bag?

While in some cases nearly identical to bag, catch implies the seizing of something in motion or in flight or in hiding.

caught the dog as it ran by

How do entrap and ensnare relate to one another, in the sense of bag?

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 bag?

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 bag
Noun
Pair it with a Grapico soda and a bag of Golden Flake Sweet Heat chips to transport yourself straight to 4th Ave. Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 2 Sep. 2026 Employees handed out free reusable bags and welcomed residents in for the first time. Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026
Verb
The person hired to shoot the lizards managed to bag 27 of them over the course of the study, compared to the six caught via trap and four caught via lizard fishing. Alex Harris august 25, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026 Sometimes as part of an initiation ritual, pledges would allegedly cut and bag the cocaine in the fraternity houses before it was sold to other students. Forbestv, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bag
Noun
  • The backpack is also designed with a padded laptop sleeve, several pockets, and a detachable pouch for storing valuables or toiletries.
    Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2026
  • For the first time, Gallup asked about consumption of nicotine pouches, small sachets placed between the upper lip and gum that allow direct absorption of nicotine into the bloodstream.
    Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • From anti-theft purses that look like chic handbags to polished trousers that feel more like comfy sweatpants, these styles are versatile, functional, and comfortable to boot—and prices start at just $8.
    Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Small enough to fit into a purse, the traditional Spanish folding hand fan, or abanico, snaps open into a semicircle.
    ABC News, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Anything that protrudes above the shallow, insulating snow cover is more prone to being damaged by the cold and wind or eaten by wildlife, said plant ecologist Anne Bjorkman of the University of Gothenburg in Sweden.
    ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Other animals on-site include a stable full of horses and Cowboy the tortoise, who is about the size of a lawnmower and whose head protrudes from what looks like a Venus flytrap made of bone.
    Emma Madden, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Mishka Wilonski had just grabbed pizza from a nearby shop and was walking outside with a friend when the crash happened.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Michael grabbed him, rushed out of the house, and blew through several red lights on the way to the hospital.
    Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Fall summons the urge to nest, and as temperatures drop, so does the desire to leave the house.
    Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Government debt makes up more than 200% of its gross domestic product, leaving its finances highly sensitive to rising borrowing costs.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The contestants will have to design a wedding dress that showcases their style, and the winning design will be produced and sold by David’s Bridal.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • In the final moments of the game, Chad scores the game-winning touchdown, but a penalty sets them back with just two seconds left on the clock.
    Tanya Fedak, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Some soldiers distinguished themselves by helping to render emergency trauma response and first aid to civilians, earning individual service commendations, according to the Arkansas National Guard.
    Neal Earley, Arkansas Online, 29 Aug. 2026
  • On Monday, those five writers — also DSA-LA members — panned the idea of an endorsement, saying Raman hasn’t earned it.
    Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Mills, a fifth-round pick in 2025, recorded his first career sack in the Super Bowl, and could be in line for more snaps in his second season after missing most of his rookie campaign due to injury.
    Andrew Destin, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The Bruins’ defense managed just 10 sacks and 40 tackles for loss last season — both worst in the FBS.
    Beth Harris, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bag. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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