bag 1 of 2

Definition of bagnext
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as in purse
a container for carrying money and small personal items she keeps her keys, phone, and wallet each in separate compartments in her bag so that she always knows where they are

Synonyms & Similar Words

bag

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verb

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as in to leave
to give up (a job or office) if the supervisor says one more nasty thing to me, I'm going to bag this stupid job

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb bag contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of bag are capture, catch, ensnare, entrap, snare, and trap. While all these words mean "to come to possess or control by or as if by seizing," bag implies shooting down a fleeing or distant prey.

bagged a brace of pheasants

Where would capture be a reasonable alternative to bag?

The words capture and bag can be used in similar contexts, but capture suggests taking by overcoming resistance or difficulty.

capture an enemy stronghold

When is it sensible to use catch instead of bag?

While in some cases nearly identical to bag, catch implies the seizing of something in motion or in flight or in hiding.

caught the dog as it ran by

How do entrap and ensnare relate to one another, in the sense of bag?

Both entrap and ensnare more often are figurative.

entrapped the witness with a trick question
a sting operation that ensnared burglars

How is trap related to other words for bag?

Trap, snare, entrap, and ensnare imply seizing by some device that holds the one caught at the mercy of the captor. Trap and snare apply more commonly to physical seizing.

trap animals
snared butterflies with a net

How does the verb bag contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of bag are capture, catch, ensnare, entrap, snare, and trap. While all these words mean "to come to possess or control by or as if by seizing," bag implies shooting down a fleeing or distant prey.

bagged a brace of pheasants

Where would capture be a reasonable alternative to bag?

The words capture and bag can be used in similar contexts, but capture suggests taking by overcoming resistance or difficulty.

capture an enemy stronghold

When is it sensible to use catch instead of bag?

While in some cases nearly identical to bag, catch implies the seizing of something in motion or in flight or in hiding.

caught the dog as it ran by

How do entrap and ensnare relate to one another, in the sense of bag?

Both entrap and ensnare more often are figurative.

entrapped the witness with a trick question
a sting operation that ensnared burglars

How is trap related to other words for bag?

Trap, snare, entrap, and ensnare imply seizing by some device that holds the one caught at the mercy of the captor. Trap and snare apply more commonly to physical seizing.

trap animals
snared butterflies with a net

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bag
Noun
Per usual, with the renewals in the bag, OneChicago will have to secure veteran cast members whose contracts are up this season. Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2026 Richardson said Lee personally reached out to her after seeing her work and purchased the bag. Lauren Winfrey, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
Adolescence‘s awards streak continues after the Netflix series bagged six nominations at the Royal Television Society Programme Awards. Jake Kanter, Deadline, 10 Mar. 2026 For much of the next hour, Best carefully bagged and logged each of the man’s belongings, including a white rock of fentanyl. Connor Letourneau, San Francisco Chronicle, 7 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bag
Noun
  • Two small tents shaded those who got there earliest, leaving throngs of fans — the rest of us — to bake in the sun as security locked our phones in pouches.
    Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Pink Berry Burst is another star scent from the collection available in a member-exclusive gift set featuring a pink paisley Vera Bradley makeup pouch, lip gloss, Pocket Bac and travel-size body spray.
    Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Detectives began working to identify the woman and found a key in her purse.
    Kevin Foster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Federal law gives Congress the power of the purse, which means the president may lack the legal authority to unilaterally authorize pay.
    Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • In the video, large swaths of brown earth can be seen protruding patches of mountain snow.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Or if a finger was so sliced open that the bone protruded.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • For an affordable meal, grab a cheap lunch at a konoba — a Croatian tavern — tucked away from the main tourist drag.
    Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Kuechly was called for two defensive fouls as NFL players had trouble grabbing flags.
    Jim Reineking, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • What happens when a movement built on peace sets off a chain of events that leaves a region fluent only in the language of violence?
    Noo Saro-Wiwa, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Her aunt had resisted leaving the capital for two weeks, but was finally convinced to evacuate.
    Jason Rezaian, New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Frederiksen's Social Democrats received the most votes and were seen winning 38 seats in Denmark's 179-seat parliament, results published early Wednesday showed, compared with 50 seats four years earlier.
    Sam Meredith, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Vargas unveiled Ohtani's mural in 2024, followed by another honoring Fernando Valenzuela in 2025, both years when the Dodgers won the World Series.
    Rina Nakano, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Framber Valdez allowed two runs, one earned, and seven hits in six innings while striking out five and walking one in his Tigers debut.
    ABC News, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Fairbanks, Miami’s marquee free agent signing this offseason, earned his first save of the season with a shutout ninth inning.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Gastineau recorded 22 sacks in 1984, an NFL record.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Bain was at his best during UM’s playoff run, making 17 tackles, eight tackles for loss and five sacks in four playoff games.
    Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bag. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.

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