as in imprisoned
taken and held prisoner
the captive soldiers were treated humanely by the guards
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as in prisoner
one that has been taken and held in confinement
the captives in the concentration camp had devised a daring plan of escape
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Recent Examples of captive
Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2025
He was found during Waterbury fire investigation CT man allegedly held captive for decades.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2025
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 20 Feb. 2025
Nearly 150 have been released in ceasefire agreements or other deals, while dozens of bodies have been recovered by Israeli forces and eight captives have been rescued alive.
—Natalie Melzer, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for captive
Adjective
The stepson of a Connecticut woman told detectives he had been held captive for two decades, beginning at the age of 11.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2025
He was found during Waterbury fire investigation CT man allegedly held captive for decades.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2025
Noun
Hamas has demanded a complete Israeli withdrawal and a lasting ceasefire in exchange for releasing the remaining captives.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 20 Feb. 2025
Nearly 150 have been released in ceasefire agreements or other deals, while dozens of bodies have been recovered by Israeli forces and eight captives have been rescued alive.
—Natalie Melzer, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for captive
Cite this Entry
“Captive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captive. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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