1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in spreading
exciting a similar feeling or reaction in others
a catching smile that instantly puts patients at ease
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stopping
to bring (something) to a standstill
I caught myself just as I was about to step into the freshly poured concrete
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in securing
to put securely in place or in a desired position
caught back her hair with a barrette
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in knowing
to have a clear idea of
I didn't catch the point you were making about our nation's foreign policy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in tricking
to cause to believe what is untrue
a number of media outlets were caught by the woman's hard-luck story
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of catching
Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025
The San Diego Padres need more catching depth, and their search could lead them to a longtime Red Sox backstop.
—John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
Amber Love Bond, Travel + Leisure, 26 Dec. 2024
Murphy had 28 receptions for 502 yards and three touchdowns at Old Dominion in 2023 before catching two passes for 28 yards with the Wildcats this season.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 26 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for catching
Adjective
Teel — one of the four players the Sox received in the deal that sent starter Garrett Crochet to the Boston Red Sox — and Quero are part of a catching mix that also includes returning starter Korey Lee and new addition Matt Thaiss (acquired from the Cubs).
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025
The San Diego Padres need more catching depth, and their search could lead them to a longtime Red Sox backstop.
—John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
From the Mid-Rise Showdown Trousers that are perfectly relaxed-fitting and comfortable to the eye-catching Faux Leather Power Hour Joggers that are stylish enough to dress up for dinner or an evening out while on vacation, there are options for every type of traveler — and budget.
—Amber Love Bond, Travel + Leisure, 26 Dec. 2024
Murphy had 28 receptions for 502 yards and three touchdowns at Old Dominion in 2023 before catching two passes for 28 yards with the Wildcats this season.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 26 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for catching
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catching
Adjective
-
Scientists have already revived 30,000-year-old viruses from permafrost in Siberia—ones that were still infectious, though only to amoebas.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
16 Mar. 2025
-
But now, with US vaccination rates slipping, herd immunity becoming spotty, cases rising by the day, and outbreaks simmering in multiple states, the US is no longer different from far-off places that struggle with the extremely infectious virus.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Edwards delivered in a big way, scoring a career-high 53 points, hitting 10 3-pointers and grabbing six rebounds.—
Jon Krawczynski,
The Athletic,
5 Jan. 2025
-
But those are just two headline-grabbing crimes.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
5 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
After stopping the vehicle, Jackson reportedly ran from the car with a gun in his hand, according to court records.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
8 Jan. 2025
-
It can also be caused by significant stress, surgery, or stopping birth control pills.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
More attention to be applied to Zero Trust risk management strategies, from vulnerability assessments and securing code from production throughout the life cycle.—
Chuck Brooks,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
-
The team's ability to participate in further races beyond Daytona heavily depends on securing adequate funding.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Officers were alerted to the situation after allegedly encountering their 6-year-old son running across the street unsupervised on 15th Street in Miami Beach, according to arrest reports obtained by PEOPLE.—
Ben Brachfeld,
People.com,
3 Jan. 2025
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Police urge residents to exercise extreme caution when encountering such phone calls.—
River Valley Democrat-Gazette,
arkansasonline.com,
3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Measles outbreaks erupted in the U.S. this year because a highly communicable virus, sometimes circulating abroad, infected a rising population of unvaccinated Americans as well as some visitors from abroad who traveled in this country.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
13 Mar. 2025
-
Hanage foresees wastewater analysis being used to track other communicable viruses, like mpox.—
Chris Stokel-Walker,
WIRED,
4 Oct. 2024
Verb
-
Any viral outbreak poses a public health risk, particularly for children and older people who may be more vulnerable to contracting serious illnesses when affected.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
4 Jan. 2025
-
Anyone can fall ill after contracting the virus, but the risk of severe illness is higher for people who are younger than five or older than 65.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
4 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Nevertheless, halting the pipeline sent European Union natural gas prices rising to 50 euros ($52), their highest since the 330-euro spike in 2022 after the invasion.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC News,
2 Jan. 2025
-
The controversy has also strained South Korea's political system, halting high-level diplomacy, rattling financial markets, and spotlighting weaknesses in its governance structure.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Catching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catching. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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