prize 1 of 4

Definition of prizenext

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
Niether Barnes or Barry are worried about the Bearcats losing focus on the prize of making it to and winning the state title. Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2026 Thursday night’s winning player has 180 days from the day of the draw to claim their prize. Harry Harris, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
Verb
Mystic Spires salvia is considered a true blue flower prized for its intense blue pigment. Clarence Schmidt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2026 Don’t miss the chorizo breakfast burrito made with local pork—or the standout salsa macha, prized for its deep umami and heat. Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 19 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for prize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prize
Noun
  • Small treasures that a child holds onto for safety and comfort.
    Lyz Lenz, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2026
  • In 2025, archaeologists in northern Germany uncovered a hoard of roughly 1,000-year-old Viking treasures after a metal detectorist alerted officials to the find.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026
Noun
  • Copyright © 2026 by Sharon Blackie DR SHARON BLACKIE is an award-winning and internationally bestselling author, and a psychologist with a background in mythology and folklore.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
  • Fox made his first All-Star appearance, earned his first All-NBA honors as a Third Team selection and won the inaugural Clutch Player of the Year award.
    Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026
Adjective
  • Seb Stafford-Bloor’s excellent Transfer Tiers series is moving on to central defenders today.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 28 May 2026
  • The right-shot defenseman has had an excellent tournament for Finland, who advanced to the semifinals with a win over Czechia.
    Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 28 May 2026
Verb
  • The crowd skews more towards families with young children, multi-gen ski trips, and groups who value a spot by the fireplace more than being the first person on the gondola each morning.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
  • The following year, the sale of a stake in the club’s Barca Studios media arm — which the club originally valued at €1billion but is now officially worth much less — helped add Ilkay Gundogan to the squad.
    Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 1 June 2026
Noun
  • The mountain makes a majestic backdrop for Gergeti Trinity Church, a 14th-century gem perched 7,120 feet above sea level.
    Lori Rackl, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026
  • Before Friday’s start, Severino appeared to be hitting a hot streak, surrendering more than two earned runs in just one of his previous six starts, including a seven-inning gem against the Los Angeles Angels on May 21.
    Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 30 May 2026
Noun
  • Her novels have won accolades from the New York Times, the American Booksellers Association, the American Library Association, and Junior Library Guild.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 June 2026
  • But even with a bevy of accolades, Wilson said her work is not done.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 30 May 2026
Adjective
  • Monroe’s image-making Monroe always had greater agency over her still images than her moving images, which were largely determined by the film studios and directors.
    Sheena McKenzie, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
  • In performance and direction, and in the small ways in which Caswell and Wills have plotted out this isolated love story, there’s a level of great richness and detail.
    Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 3 June 2026
Verb
  • Roberts pulled Sasaki with runners on first and second in the sixth.
    Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
  • Tovar ambushed Kilian’s first offering, pulling a two-run homer over the left-field fence to hand the Giants their fourth straight loss.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 30 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prize. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.

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