Synonyms of net

net 1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈnet 

1

as in netting

a fabric made of strands loosely twisted, knotted, or woven together at regular intervals

the basketball didn't go into the basket—it just hit the net

Synonyms & Similar Words

• netting
• web
• mesh
• network
• webbing
• lace
• screening
• screen
• tulle
• grille
• grill
• lattice
• bobbinet
• fishnet
• marquisette
• filigree
• wirework
• Brussels lace

2

as in trap

a device or scheme for capturing another by surprise

drug runners caught in an elaborate net set by the police

Synonyms & Similar Words

• trap
• ambush
• web
• snare
• ruse
• entanglement
• trick
• deception
• entrapment
• envelopment
• hazard
• catch
• snag
• land mine
• pitfall
• duplicity
• cheat
• subterfuge
• enmeshment
• cheating
• ploy
• booby trap
• double-dealing
• artifice

3

as in web

something that catches and holds

caught in a net of palace intrigues

Synonyms & Similar Words

• web
• tangle
• trap
• entanglement
• labyrinth
• snare
• noose
• maze
• quicksand
• morass
• quagmire
• mesh(es)
• tanglement
• toil(s)
• snarl
• knot
• cobweb
• spiderweb
• cat's cradle

net

2 of 4

noun (2)

1

as in profit

the amount of money left when expenses are subtracted from the total amount received

his net for the year was about 60% of his total income

Synonyms & Similar Words

• profit
• earnings
• proceeds
• gain
• income
• return
• payoff
• salary
• revenue
• sales
• lucre
• wages
• bottom line
• payment
• windfall
• cleanup
• killing
• yield
• pay
• gross
• compensation
• interest
• emolument
• remittal
• requital

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cost
• loss
• expense
• expenditure
• charge
• outlay
• outgo
• disbursement

2

as in root

the central part or aspect of something under consideration

the net of the report on race relations is that things are better but not good enough

Synonyms & Similar Words

• root
• core
• essence
• heart
• kernel
• sum
• point
• meat
• nucleus
• pivot
• sum and substance
• bottom line
• gist
• pith
• crux
• subject
• centerpiece
• the long and short
• nub
• content
• tenor
• bull's-eye
• direction
• meat and potatoes
• keynote
• theme
• drift
• substance
• body
• nubbin
• the long and the short
• course
• thesis
• hypothesis
• proposition
• purport

net

3 of 4

verb (1)

1

as in to trap

to catch or hold as if in a net

the kite was stubbornly netted in the branches of the willow tree

Synonyms & Similar Words

• trap
• tangle
• mesh
• ensnare
• snare
• entrap
• enmesh
• immesh
• entangle
• capture
• involve
• catch up
• ensnarl
• entoil
• implicate
• collar
• birdlime
• mire
• bag
• embroil

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disentangle
• free
• detach
• extricate
• clear
• disengage
• untangle
• liberate

2

as in to grab

to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly

a police sting that netted drug dealers from all parts of the city

Synonyms & Similar Words

• grab
• catch
• land
• snatch
• capture
• seize
• trap
• get
• snare
• hook
• snag
• grapple
• bag
• corral
• take hold (of)
• nab
• snap (up)
• nail
• collar
• rope
• nobble
• rap
• cop
• glom
• grasp
• glove
• clutch
• secure
• bay
• lasso
• hold
• arrest
• grip
• corner
• fist
• mesh
• ensnare
• apprehend
• latch (on or onto)
• clasp
• detain
• halter
• fasten (on)
• rend
• entrap
• enmesh
• entangle
• kidnap
• spirit (away or off)
• wrest
• immesh
• abduct

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• miss
• free
• release
• discharge
• drop
• liberate
• loosen
• unhand

net

4 of 4

verb (2)

as in to earn

to receive after charges and deductions have been made

the entrepreneur netted millions on that deal

Synonyms & Similar Words

• earn
• gain
• get
• make
• realize
• clear
• garner
• clean up
• rake (in)
• cash in (on)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• gross

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of net

Noun

Easy to humanize his team putting more shots through the net than its opponent. —Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2025

Kayleigh Koen, Hannah Macron, Ella Lefebvre and Allie Sauls found the net for St. Mark’s in a 4-3 Independent School League win over St. George’s (Rhode Island). —Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 30 Jan. 2025

Verb

For Williams, the Hornets netted rookie shooter Dalton Knecht, veteran small forward Cam Reddish, the right to swap first-round picks with the Lakers in 2030 and the Lakers’ unprotected 2031 first-round pick. —Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 7 Feb. 2025

Murphy Walsh netted a brace for Mitty, scoring in the 22nd minute (assist from Jasmine Wheeler) and the 29th minute (assist from Shelby Hopwood). —Christian Babcock, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2025