BAG Synonyms: 211 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

bag 1 of 2

noun

ˈbag

Definition of bag next

as in pouch

a container made of a flexible material (as paper or plastic) she carries her towel and other supplies to the beach in a bright, colorful bag slung over her arm

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Relevance

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

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bag

2 of 2

verb

as in to protrude

to extend outward beyond a usual point the shirt bagged at the waist

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as in to grab

to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly bagged a deer while hunting last weekend

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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

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as in to win

to obtain (as a goal) through effort bagged a full fellowship at one of the nation's leading universities

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as in to earn

to receive as return for effort bagged an acting nomination for a truly inspired performance

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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

Examples of bag in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Leo moon activating Mercury says to pull out your bag of tricks. —

USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024 Some consider this a kind of candy tax, namely that each child must choose to give up something from their bag. —

Lance Eliot, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024

Verb

Saldaña has proven a popular choice for out-of-this-world cinema in the 21st century, bagging major roles in Cameron’s big-budget sci-fi eco-thriller, JJ Abrams’ Star Trek revival movies and, later, James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy as green-skinned alien warrior Gamora. —

Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Oct. 2024 Workers bagged contaminated materials for safe disposal, and contaminated water was stored for later release, counting on it decaying further. —

Kate Graham-Shaw, Scientific American, 9 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bag

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bag.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.