1
as in netting
a fabric made of strands loosely twisted, knotted, or woven together at regular intervals
the basketball didn't go into the basket—it just hit the net
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Relevance
2
as in trap
a device or scheme for capturing another by surprise
drug runners caught in an elaborate net set by the police
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1
as in profit
the amount of money left when expenses are subtracted from the total amount received
his net for the year was about 60% of his total income
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in root
the central part or aspect of something under consideration
the net of the report on race relations is that things are better but not good enough
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1
as in to trap
to catch or hold as if in a net
the kite was stubbornly netted in the branches of the willow tree
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2
as in to grab
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly
a police sting that netted drug dealers from all parts of the city
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of net
Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 1 May 2026
Twenty-one-year-old Ducks star Leo Carlsson led the way with three points, but this was a team effort, with terrific defense from Jackson LaCombe and the best game of the series in net by Lukáš Dostál.
—James Mirtle, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 May 2026
In Virginia, Democrats secured approval of a new congressional map through a statewide vote that could net them as many as four additional seats.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for net
Noun
But Minnesota tied things back up less than a minute later, when Tarasenko backhanded a shot into a yawning net with the Dallas goalie pulled out of position when Hughes’ shot was deflected at the other side of the crease.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 1 May 2026
Twenty-one-year-old Ducks star Leo Carlsson led the way with three points, but this was a team effort, with terrific defense from Jackson LaCombe and the best game of the series in net by Lukáš Dostál.
—James Mirtle, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Verb
Cantore netted her second goal in the sixth minute to put the Pride in an early 2-0 deficit.
—Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 May 2026
In Virginia, Democrats secured approval of a new congressional map through a statewide vote that could net them as many as four additional seats.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for net
Cite this Entry
“Net.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/net. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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