catch - Thesaurus Synonyms and Word Suggestions

catch

verb

To gain possession of, especially after a struggle or chase: capture, get, net ¹, secure, take. Informal: bag. Slang: nail. See get
To come upon, especially suddenly or unexpectedly: hit on or upon , surprise, take. Informal: hit. See surprise
To perceive, especially barely or fleetingly: descry, detect, discern, espy, glimpse, spot, spy. See see
To get hold of (something moving): clutch ¹, grab, seize, snatch. Informal: nab. Idiom: lay hands on. See get
To grasp at (something) eagerly, forcibly, and abruptly with the jaws: nip ¹, snap, snatch, strike. See reach
To have a sudden overwhelming effect on: seize, strike, take. See attack, over
To go aboard (a means of transport): board, take. See used
To make secure: anchor, fasten, fix, moor, secure. Idiom: make fast. See move
To become or cause to become stuck or lodged: fix, lodge, stick. See move
To gain control of or an advantage over by or as if by trapping: enmesh, ensnare, ensnarl, entrap, snare, tangle, trammel, trap, web. See free
To deliver a powerful blow to suddenly and sharply: bash, clout, hit, knock, pop ¹, slam, slog, slug ³, smash, smite, sock, strike, swat, thwack, whack, wham, whop. Informal: biff, bop, clip ¹, wallop. Slang: belt, conk, paste. Idioms: let someone have it, sock it to someone. See attack, strike
To become affected with a disease: contract, develop, get, sicken, take. Idiom: come down with. See get
To perceive and recognize the meaning of. Also used with on: accept, apprehend, compass, comprehend, conceive, fathom, follow, get, grasp, make out, read, see, sense, take, take in, understand. Informal: savvy. Slang: dig. Chiefly British: twig. Scots: ken. Idioms: get (or have) a handle on, get the picture. See understand

phrasal verb

catch up

To come up even with another: overtake. See seek, win
To draw in so that extrication is difficult: embrangle, embroil, implicate, involve, mix up, suck. See free, participate
To compel, as the attention, interest, or imagination, of: arrest, enthrall, fascinate, grip, hold, mesmerize, rivet, spellbind, transfix. Slang: grab. See excite

noun

The act of catching, especially a sudden taking and holding: clutch ¹, grab, seizure, snatch. See get
A device for fastening or for checking motion: clasp, fastener, hook. See move
A person or thing worth catching: plum, prize ¹. Slang: brass ring. See desire
Informal. A tricky or unsuspected condition: rub, snag. See limited

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Thesaurus: catch