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
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Relevance
2
as in trap
a device or scheme for capturing another by surprise
drug runners caught in an elaborate net set by the police
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of net
Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Crosby's back was to the play when Letang's somewhat innocent shot from the point sailed wide of the Philadelphia net.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
Andrew Brown, Hartford Courant, 27 Apr. 2026
On Monday, the Supreme Court reversed a lower federal court’s ruling striking down the maps by a 6-3 margin on ideological lines, formally ending the legal battle and allowing the map, which could net Republicans up to five seats in the House, to stand beyond the 2026 elections.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for net
Noun
The urgency was underscored in parliament last week, where the National Nuclear Regulator CEO Ditebogo Kgomo told lawmakers that the government was casting a wide net to source reactor operators, safety specialists, and engineering consultants.
—Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Crosby's back was to the play when Letang's somewhat innocent shot from the point sailed wide of the Philadelphia net.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
Her nonprofit had previously netted funding through the state budget with the help of friendly legislators.
—Andrew Brown, Hartford Courant, 27 Apr. 2026
On Monday, the Supreme Court reversed a lower federal court’s ruling striking down the maps by a 6-3 margin on ideological lines, formally ending the legal battle and allowing the map, which could net Republicans up to five seats in the House, to stand beyond the 2026 elections.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for net
Cite this Entry
“Net.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/net. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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