prize 1 of 4

prize

2 of 4

adjective

prize

3 of 4

verb (1)

1
2
as in to pull
to raise, move, or pull apart with or as if with a lever trying to prize apart the jammed gears

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

prize

4 of 4

verb (2)

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun prize differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of prize are booty, loot, plunder, spoils, and spoil. While all these words mean "something taken from another by force or craft," prize applies to spoils captured on the high seas or territorial waters of the enemy.

the wartime right of seizing prizes at sea

Where would booty be a reasonable alternative to prize?

The meanings of booty and prize largely overlap; however, booty implies plunder to be shared among confederates.

thieves dividing up their booty

When would loot be a good substitute for prize?

While the synonyms loot and prize are close in meaning, loot applies especially to what is taken from victims of a catastrophe.

picked through the ruins for loot

When might plunder be a better fit than prize?

Although the words plunder and prize have much in common, plunder applies to what is taken not only in war but in robbery, banditry, grafting, or swindling.

a bootlegger's plunder

How do spoil and spoils relate to one another, in the sense of prize?

Spoil, more commonly spoils, applies to what belongs by right or custom to the victor in war or political contest.

the spoils of political victory

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 prize
Noun
Her victory paved the way for progress, including equal prize money at the US Open, where today men and women now compete for the same $5 million prize. Shelley Zalis, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025 Three other people won big prizes at the casino over the weekend. Helena Wegner, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
Figures such as Santor are prized in indie filmdom, where money is scarce and, even when found, usually available with frustrating strings attached. Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025 While oud can be polarizing—prized by some for its longevity and scorned by others for its animalic bite—the version in this bottle is rounder, creamier, and more nuanced than your standard-issue oud oil, with a clarity that feels paradoxical given its depth. Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prize
Noun
  • The adventurous archaeologist travels the globe looking for missing artifacts and historical treasures.
    Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Treat them with the same care as your home, your investments, and your family treasures.
    Jamie Hopkins, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Gaga took home Artist of the Year at the VMAs, accepting her award at the start of the show before traveling from UBS Arena on Long Island to MSG in Manhattan for her show.
    Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Similar arrangements were made with the skeleton crew and award-winning department heads.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • But on a day when Mizzou amassed 595 total yards, converted 4 of 5 fourth downs and got an excellent effort from first-year starting quarterback Beau Pribula, surrendering possession had to fill Kansas followers with a sense of dread.
    Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The openings can keep your feet cool or give you an excellent way to show off some eye-catching socks once the weather get cooler.
    Isis Briones, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Levi's Original Trucker Jacket Don’t miss out on this gem of a steal on this beloved Levi’s denim jacket that has racked up over 8,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.
    Isis Briones, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025
  • If the current crop of blockbusters and indie gems isn't quite hitting the mark for you, there's a solid chance one of Netflix's homegrown titles will.
    Jacqueline Weiss, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • But all the accolades mean nothing in Week 1, and the Eagles will be without a powerful run stopper who can also get to the quarterback throughout their NFC East battle with the Cowboys.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
  • If anything, The Studio reinforces how, for all his accolades, Scorsese still struggles to raise money to shoot his films.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Yet his work does demand greater attention.
    Mark Holgate, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Europe staged one of the greatest comebacks in Ryder Cup history, winning eight matches and halving another to clinch the Cup by half a point.
    Tim Corlett, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • And one of its brightest jewels was under water.
    Suzette Hackney, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Deep and jewel-toned, Perry says that a striking crimson red makes for a perfect fall shade.
    Audrey Noble, Vogue, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • But if Julia’s delivery of her first child is about as wonderful as pushing a human out of your body can get — even the lighting is dreamy — her second child’s delivery is the exact opposite.
    Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Morticia has this wonderful lighter look into the world as opposed to Wednesday.
    Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prize. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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