1
as in infectious
capable of being passed by physical contact from one person to another
a cold is often catching before the symptoms even begin
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in spreading
exciting a similar feeling or reaction in others
a catching smile that instantly puts patients at ease
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in grabbing
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in getting
to become affected with (a disease or disorder)
you'll catch the flu for sure if you don't get a shot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stopping
to bring (something) to a standstill
I caught myself just as I was about to step into the freshly poured concrete
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in securing
to put securely in place or in a desired position
caught back her hair with a barrette
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in knowing
to have a clear idea of
I didn't catch the point you were making about our nation's foreign policy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in tricking
to cause to believe what is untrue
a number of media outlets were caught by the woman's hard-luck story
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in encountering
to come upon face-to-face or as if face-to-face
I'll catch you at the library tomorrow
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in noticing
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in chasing
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
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Recent Examples of catching
Kansas City Star, 18 Mar. 2026
Teel and Edgar Quero had been in line to handle a bulk of the catching duties this season, with Lee another option.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
Schlittler last visited Fenway in May, catching a Red Sox night game after making an early start for the Yankees’ Double-A affiliate.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for catching
Adjective
He’s worn special catching gear to celebrate his heritage.
—Kansas City Star, 18 Mar. 2026
Teel and Edgar Quero had been in line to handle a bulk of the catching duties this season, with Lee another option.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
Parker Guinn, who was hired by Breslow as a catching instructor after the 2024 season, remains as well.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
Schlittler last visited Fenway in May, catching a Red Sox night game after making an early start for the Yankees’ Double-A affiliate.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for catching
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catching
Adjective
-
Hernandez said that Stribling has an infectious smile and personality that draws people to him.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
25 Apr. 2026
-
If some of the stuff in his lungs was infectious, maybe he could be treated and get home.—
Elisabeth Rosenthal,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Jaguars used their first pick of the NFL draft to land the blocking tight end Friday night, grabbing him in the second round with the 56th selection.—
Mark Long,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The Seahawks stayed put yet again at the end of the second round, grabbing TCU safety Bud Clark with the 64th pick.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Plane tickets are getting pricier After jumping to $209 a barrel in early April, the global price of jet fuel eased last week to around $179, still well above the roughly $99 at the end of February.—
Mae Anderson,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
Since getting sober, Holland's life has been a whirlwind.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
That led many to believe that, while treatments and crisis care are vital, the goal of suicide prevention needs to expand beyond stopping people from dying to also giving them reasons to live.—
Aneri Pattani,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Bain walked purposefully, never slowing, never stopping — not even to size himself up in his new Bucs hat in the mirror — before striding onstage for a hug with the commissioner.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
After securing a three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday at Kauffman Stadium, the Royals pressed their luck against another American League West opponent on Tuesday night.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The winning ticket matched all five numbers plus the Millionaire Ball in the April 27 drawing, securing the game’s top prize of $1 million a year for life, according to the Ohio Lottery.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Watching the trajectory of the baseball and knowing Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill’s ability to rob would-be homers — plus the uncertainty of how well balls fly during night games at Petco Park — Crow-Armstrong figured Merrill would come down with the baseball.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
And there’s judgment — knowing when to act, when to wait, and what action actually fits the situation.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Deed theft is when a scammer steals someone's home, often by forging documents or tricking someone into signing over a deed.—
Tim McNicholas,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
After tricking her way into her dream job, Liza discovers that disguising herself as a millennial and keeping her two lives separate is a job in and of itself.—
Andrew Walsh,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Across New York, students are already encountering hate.—
Samantha Hirsch,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Something that really drove me nuts in art history was encountering people who felt like what their job was to exercise taste.—
Lilyanna D'Amato,
ARTnews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Catching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catching. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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