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

Examples 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
This was the third of 15 top prizes worth $1 million to be claimed in this game. Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Jan. 2025 Finally, after being put up against the Banker, Luke turned down an offer with a 66.6 percent chance of success, and instead ended up being eliminated while only adding a measly $1 to the prize pot. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
There was a record-breaker at the most recent Ethiopian event; beans from this country are prized by purists as it’s considered where coffee cultivation began. Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 7 Jan. 2025 What, then can the U.N. behemoth offer industry sectors prizing efficiency and innovation? Kristen Edgreen Kaufman, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for prize 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prize
Noun
  • By bringing back to the fold a lost treasure from the storied past.
    Han Ong, The New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2025
  • Archaeologists recently unveiled remarkable artifacts from Viking graves in Norway — all thanks to a pair of metal detectorists who unwittingly stumbled across the treasure.
    Andrea Margolis, Fox News, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • On The Office, what are the awards called that Michael hands out to his employees?
    Alex Vance, Parents, 14 Jan. 2025
  • There, the single reaches 6.7 million in format audience, up 24% from the prior week and enough to secure the Greatest Gainer award.
    Trevor Anderson, Billboard, 14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Every business has setbacks, project cancellations, and external events that can sap the energy from your team members and override the benefits of even the best people management efforts, including personal recognition and communication, and excellent team collaboration.
    Martin Zwilling, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
  • With excellent lift access, 12 lifts provide visitors with access to 244 skiable acres.
    Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 12 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The 12-day journey, offered in May and September 2025, takes travelers through hidden gems in Athens, Delos, and Crete.
    Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2025
  • If Ortiz improves his command and control under the watchful tutoring of Carl Willis, the Guardians may have uncovered a true gem for their rotation for the present, and into the future.
    Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • He was selected Entertainment Lawyer of the Year by the Beverly Hills Bar Association in 2010 and received the Distinguished Entertainment Leadership Award from the Anti-Defamation League, among many other accolades.
    Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Some of her accolades include Three American Music Awards, two MTV Video Music Awards, and five Grammy nominations.
    Essence, Essence, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Finance chief Amy Hood said in October that revenue growth from Microsoft’s Azure cloud will speed up in the first half of this year because of greater AI infrastructure capacity.
    Jordan Novet, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2025
  • The Bills offense, without great wide receivers, has been fantastic this season.
    Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Jim sees DuPont’s electronics business, which supports the semiconductor industry, as the crown jewel since the artificial intelligence boom has created explosive demand for faster and faster chips.
    Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Upstairs, Elsesser’s serene, hotel-like sleeping quarters lead to the crown jewel: a bathroom to rival all bathrooms, where marble, mirror, and walnut paneling combine to symphonic effect.
    Hannah Martin, Architectural Digest, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • At 6-2, 202 pounds, Will Johnson has excellent size and length for a cornerback and would be a wonderful complement to Gardner.
    Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 15 Jan. 2025
  • The property’s prime location is also close to the launch sites of the area’s famed hot air balloon rides, which are a wonderful way to take in the spectacular views of the otherworldly land formations.
    Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near prize

Cite this Entry

“Prize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prize. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

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