caught 1 of 2

Definition of caughtnext

caught

2 of 2

verb

past tense of catch
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as in chased
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

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 caught
Verb
Summit caught the turnover bug as the Jaguars lost to Red Oak 20-15. Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2026 As a result, Japan finds itself in a precarious position, caught between a lack of locals to fill roles in the workforce and a distrust of immigrants who can provide labor. Christine Miyawaki, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026 The owner of the files caught Krebs’ attention after showing the journalist a scan of his Virginia drivers license, strongly supporting the leak’s validity. Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 3 Sep. 2026 Faced with these new threats, federal, state, and local entities in the United States are caught flat-footed. Seth G. Jones, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026 The Labor Department bans private-equity firms caught misbehaving from raising money from federal pension funds. Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2026 How can any of the Clippers partners or sponsors or fans trust this team with their dollars or their time or their affection after they were apparently caught knowingly breaking one of the NBA’s cardinal rules? Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026 Hazardous place for journalists Haiti has become an increasingly hazardous environment for journalists, who have been kidnapped and killed, caught in the crossfire of gang attacks and had their vehicles fired on by police. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026 Seventy-seven people from one pilgrimage group were caught in the floods at the immigration office at the border, according to a post on X from Indian spiritual guru Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev. Shristi Kafle, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for caught
Adjective
  • One week after finding out Meredith was pregnant, Johnny died.
    Julie Mazziotta, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026
  • In cases that are considered to be too severe — such as when a pregnant woman at the center began experiencing labor pains — those individuals are airlifted to a nearby hospital.
    ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Last year, the PKK — considered a terrorist organization by Turkey and its Western allies — announced its decision to disband, following a call by its imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The move came in response to a call from its imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan.
    ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The lawsuit by a Los Angeles studio claims Michael Shvartsman demanded early repayment, threatened its CEO and grabbed a bigger slice of profits after the film’s Mar-a-Lago premiere.
    Ben Wieder, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The man grabbed his iguana (which survived the flight) and left.
    Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • When the islanders first got their phones back while in Fiji, Melanie had a video call with her sister in an unseen clip.
    Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The San Francisco 49ers got creative in managing some tough cuts Sunday afternoon to get down to a 53-man roster, letting go of their punter and long snapper.
    Matt Barrows, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Group argued construction could be irreversible The National Trust for Historic Preservation, which is challenging the ballroom, had told the justices that the project would likely become irreversible unless it is stopped now.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Bilt, for its part, said the issue had to do with an earlier iteration of its credit cards that had stopped accepting customers.
    Andy Kroll, ProPublica, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Adebo could still push Banks, while Phillips has secured the slot job.
    Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • As with the Pattern One, the grip ended in a round top nut, which secured the rat-tail tang to the grip, though the fitting was now done by cutting off the tang to length and cutting in the screw to take the nut.
    David Szondy August 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • With the amount of firepower that Geneva graduated from last year’s lineup, senior forward Gabe Barwiolek knew the burden to score was going to fall upon his shoulders.
    Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The grand jury said then-state Attorney General Ashley Moody’s office knew of the plans to divert the money.
    Jim Vertuno, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • In the past couple of years, deepfakes have already tricked large firms like Arup into wiring $25 million to scammers.
    Allyson Kapin, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • In September 2025, a judge dismissed the lawsuit, noting that consumers could still enjoy the treats even if they felt tricked by the wrappers.
    Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Caught.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caught. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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