1
as in nettings
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in traps
a device or scheme for capturing another by surprise
drug runners caught in an elaborate net set by the police
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in tangles
something that catches and holds
caught in a net of palace intrigues
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in earnings
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hearts
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 meshes
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in grabs
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly
a police sting that netted drug dealers from all parts of the city
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nets
Dr. Howard A. Selinger, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2026
Ukraine has draped nets over many of the roads vital for logistics.
—Brynn Tannehill, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026
Those threats include boat strikes from propellers slicing through shells, being caught in fishing nets, shoreline development, tree removal reducing natural cover, de-icing bubblers that give otters access to hibernating turtles, and climate change.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
Employers who spent decades demanding four-year degrees are quietly dropping that requirement and casting wider nets focusing more on talent and attitude.
—Phil Blair, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
As federal and state authorities intensify efforts to contain the spill and clean up beaches, fisherman have struggled to make ends meet as they have been forced to almost completely halt fishing to prevent boat engines and nets from being contaminated with oil, losing their main source of income.
—Félix Márquez, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2026
Traditional robotic cleaners typically ignore this layer, leaving owners to remove debris manually with skimmer nets.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 27 Mar. 2026
Fragata is great for families, thanks to its volleyball nets and pedal boats.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Mar. 2026
The entire town of Izium is draped in a canopy of anti-drone nets.
—Eleanor Beardsley, NPR, 17 Mar. 2026
Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
The United States’s $38 trillion national debt now nets an annual interest bill of another trillion dollars each year.
—Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
Orlando striking a deal now nets the club some financial windfall rather than losing him on a free transfer.
—Tom Bogert, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Suno users generate 7 million new tracks a day, which every two weeks nets out to about as many songs as exist on Spotify.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 22 Dec. 2025
The good news is that there are still some last-chance Cyber Monday deals, such as this fantastic Walmart deal, which nets you over $1000 off the Sony A7R V camera.
—Chris McMullen, Space.com, 2 Dec. 2025
That money nets him a seafood feast in the French port city of Marseille.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 15 Nov. 2025
Each player on the winning team nets $530,933 this season, while players on the second-place team receive $212,373.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 8 Nov. 2025
There’s no time like the present to copy Reese Witherspoon’s loungewear look — Spanx is running a bundle deal that nets you two items for 15 percent off.
—Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
Comparative studies across countries have shown that high trust societies have longer life expectancies, lower rates of anxiety and depression, maintain stronger safety nets and health care systems which support population health.
—Dr. Howard A. Selinger, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2026
Ukraine has draped nets over many of the roads vital for logistics.
—Brynn Tannehill, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026
Those threats include boat strikes from propellers slicing through shells, being caught in fishing nets, shoreline development, tree removal reducing natural cover, de-icing bubblers that give otters access to hibernating turtles, and climate change.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
Employers who spent decades demanding four-year degrees are quietly dropping that requirement and casting wider nets focusing more on talent and attitude.
—Phil Blair, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
As federal and state authorities intensify efforts to contain the spill and clean up beaches, fisherman have struggled to make ends meet as they have been forced to almost completely halt fishing to prevent boat engines and nets from being contaminated with oil, losing their main source of income.
—Félix Márquez, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2026
Traditional robotic cleaners typically ignore this layer, leaving owners to remove debris manually with skimmer nets.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 27 Mar. 2026
Fragata is great for families, thanks to its volleyball nets and pedal boats.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Mar. 2026
The entire town of Izium is draped in a canopy of anti-drone nets.
—Eleanor Beardsley, NPR, 17 Mar. 2026
Verb
The deal nets the Yankees something in return for Vivas, who is out of minor league options and was not going to make the team’s Opening Day roster.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
The United States’s $38 trillion national debt now nets an annual interest bill of another trillion dollars each year.
—Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
Orlando striking a deal now nets the club some financial windfall rather than losing him on a free transfer.
—Tom Bogert, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Suno users generate 7 million new tracks a day, which every two weeks nets out to about as many songs as exist on Spotify.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 22 Dec. 2025
The good news is that there are still some last-chance Cyber Monday deals, such as this fantastic Walmart deal, which nets you over $1000 off the Sony A7R V camera.
—Chris McMullen, Space.com, 2 Dec. 2025
That money nets him a seafood feast in the French port city of Marseille.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 15 Nov. 2025
Each player on the winning team nets $530,933 this season, while players on the second-place team receive $212,373.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 8 Nov. 2025
There’s no time like the present to copy Reese Witherspoon’s loungewear look — Spanx is running a bundle deal that nets you two items for 15 percent off.
—Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nets. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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