CATCHES Synonyms: 442 Similar and Opposite Words

catches 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of catch

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

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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

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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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as in secures

to put securely in place or in a desired position caught back her hair with a barrette

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as in knows

to have a clear idea of I didn't catch the point you were making about our nation's foreign policy

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as in deceives

to cause to believe what is untrue a number of media outlets were caught by the woman's hard-luck story

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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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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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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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falls short

catches

2 of 2

noun

plural of catch

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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as in prizes

someone or something unusually desirable everyone thought the captain of the football team was a real catch

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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

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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 catches

Verb

But then, Coach Jake Hudson (Steve Zahn), the Catfish’s head coach and Ricky’s father, catches them. — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026 Under the rules, a fan who catches a foul ball records an out. — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 And when a fan catches a foul ball cleanly, the batter is out. — Jacob Beltran, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Oct. 2026 After changing into his stage costume, V brushes his teeth and catches RM doing elaborate frog-pose stretches to limber up for the high-energy performance. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2026 While posing artfully in the store’s shop window, Klara catches the eye of Josie (Mia Tharia), who persuades her mother Chrissie (Amy Adams) to buy her as a companion. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026 This Lee Raybon is the same as that Lee Raybon — only now, creator, writer, and director Sterlin Harjo catches him in a harsher light. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026 Smith already owns Ohio State's career marks for receptions, yards receiving and TD catches and ranks second nationally this season with 48 catches, 916 yards and 11 TDs. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 One of the first works that catches your eye is a 1955 Krasner collage. — Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR, 10 Oct. 2026

Noun

In 11 career appearances, Royals has five catches for 21 yards. — Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026 Mallard has 831 yards receiving for 11 touchdowns on 35 catches. — Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 15 Oct. 2026 Both scoring passes went to wide receiver Maguire Anderson, who finished with eight catches for 133 yards. — Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2026 Belin was 28-of-39 passing, and eight different receivers had catches. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 He was named rookie of the year with 56 catches for 1,076 yards and 12 touchdowns, becoming the first tight end to reach 1,000 yards receiving in his rookie season. — Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026 Through four games, Sadiq has 12 catches for 143 yards and a touchdown, along with a rushing touchdown. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026 Through the first month of the 2026 season, Rogers logged just six offensive snaps and zero catches. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for catches

Verb

Nope, the Crimson Tide would most likely be on the outside looking in, while someone else from the SEC grabs their spot in the postseason.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
The suspect runs inside, grabs rolls of lottery tickets, stuffs them into a bag and runs out.

— Tara Lynch, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of grabs

Verb

The simple industrial design gets a neat little accent in the form of a physical knob for adjusting playback, track navigation, and volume.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
This part of South America often gets heavy rain during El Niño, a natural climate phenomenon in which warmer-than-usual waters in the Pacific Ocean scramble weather patterns around the world.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of gets

Verb

Last week, when Ocasio-Cortez made three campaign stops for Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, neither Democrat — and no audience members — brought up the topic of Gaza.

— David Weigel, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
In January 2025, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch changed the department pursuit policy, barring cops from chasing after vehicles fleeing car stops unless a felony crime or a violent misdemeanor was committed.

— John Annese, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of stops

Verb

Similarly, cast and creator’s robust reputation should likely ensure the film secures healthy distribution across Asia and select western markets.

— James Marsh, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
The lace detailing at the hem of this oversized sweater dress secures it as a fun and feminine addition to your fall wardrobe that also happens to be on sale for $40.

— Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of secures

Verb

Here, the dream carries the true emotional weight, and the waking world is what deceives us.

— The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 15 Oct. 2026
The complaint also claims that the image deceives customers into thinking Lipa has endorsed the product and dilutes her brand identity.

— Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 11 May 2026

Definition of deceives

Verb

When Jay encounters a giant squid being chased by a mammoth sperm whale, he’s unwittingly entangled in the former’s tentacles and swallowed up in one extended, terrifying sequence.

— David Mack, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026
An operational problem is resolved before the customer encounters it.

— Ozan Ozerk, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of encounters

Verb

On a recent Monday morning in Santa Monica, beach volleyball phenom Sally Perez steps onto the sand and immediately notices that all the nets are hung to men’s standard height, not women’s.

— Katie Abel, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026
Her 7-year-old hears the conversations around her, sees the protests in her community and notices the visiting canal personnel.

— Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026