Synonyms of captive

captive 1 of 2

adjective

ˈkap-tiv 

as in imprisoned

taken and held prisoner

the captive soldiers were treated humanely by the guards

Synonyms & Similar Words

• imprisoned
• arrested
• captured
• jailed
• interned
• incarcerated
• confined
• kidnapped
• kidnaped
• enslaved
• caught
• behind bars
• trapped
• apprehended
• bound
• abducted
• indentured
• occupied
• subjugated
• subdued
• ensnared

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• free
• unrestrained
• unconfined
• released
• liberated
• freed
• emancipated
• delivered
• paroled
• enfranchised

captive

2 of 2

noun

as in prisoner

one that has been taken and held in confinement

the captives in the concentration camp had devised a daring plan of escape

Synonyms & Similar Words

• prisoner
• capture
• internee
• convict
• jailbird
• kidnapee
• arrestee
• abductee
• coprisoner
• kidnappee

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• captor
• guard
• guardian
• keeper
• warden
• jailer
• marshal
• custodian
• marshall
• jailor
• kidnapper
• abductor
• kidnaper

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of captive

Adjective

Ohad Ben-Ami hugged his wife Raz, who was also taken captive during Hamas' terror attacks on Oct. 7, 2023. —NBC News, 8 Feb. 2025

Sharabi was taken captive from Kibbutz Beeri, a communal farm that was one of the hardest hit in the Hamas attack. —Julia Frankel, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025

Noun

Idit Ohel, the mother of Israeli hostage Alon Ohel, urgently pleaded for President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure the release of the remaining Oct. 7 captives held by Hamas amid fears the current ceasefire deal is disintegrating. —Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 12 Feb. 2025

The suit was filed on behalf of, among many other Israelis, survivors of the October 7 attacks, victims' relatives and rescued captives. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Feb. 2025