CATCHING Synonyms: 407 Similar and Opposite Words

catching 1 of 2

adjective

ˈka-chiŋ

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

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Relevance

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as in spreading

exciting a similar feeling or reaction in others a catching smile that instantly puts patients at ease

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catching

2 of 2

verb

present participle of catch

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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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

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as in stopping

to bring (something) to a standstill I caught myself just as I was about to step into the freshly poured concrete

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as in securing

to put securely in place or in a desired position caught back her hair with a barrette

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as in knowing

to have a clear idea of I didn't catch the point you were making about our nation's foreign policy

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as in tricking

to cause to believe what is untrue a number of media outlets were caught by the woman's hard-luck story

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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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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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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

falling short

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 catching

Adjective

In the snaps, Hemsworth can be seen catching waves alongside his twin sons, Sasha and Tristan, 12, as well as cliff jumping and spending time with some friends by the water. —

Georgia Slater, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026 The team also caught a break as far as their catching depth with veteran Eric Haase clearing waivers and starting for the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats on Wednesday. —

Shayna Rubin, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Apr. 2026

Verb

Anglers who get licensed through the old system or the new could soon be catching fewer walleye. —

Wcco Staff, CBS News, 26 May 2026 Campusano’s return as one of the Padres’ most productive hitters before sustaining a broken toe figures to force the Padres to reconsider the catching rotation again. —

Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for catching

Recent Examples of Synonyms for catching

Adjective

There’s nothing more infectious than sitting and laughing in a theater with a bunch of people with different age ranges and backgrounds.

— Marlow Stern, Variety, 25 May 2026
Kindred spirits, a coach and player whose infectious passion and deep thinking have kept City driving to new achievements through different configurations and evolving approaches.

— Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 25 May 2026