bag 1 of 2

1
2
as in purse
a container for carrying money and small personal items she keeps her keys, phone, and wallet each in separate compartments in her bag so that she always knows where they are

Synonyms & Similar Words

bag

2 of 2

verb

1
2
3
as in to leave
to give up (a job or office) if the supervisor says one more nasty thing to me, I'm going to bag this stupid job

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
5

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb bag contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of bag are capture, catch, ensnare, entrap, snare, and trap. While all these words mean "to come to possess or control by or as if by seizing," bag implies shooting down a fleeing or distant prey.

bagged a brace of pheasants

Where would capture be a reasonable alternative to bag?

The words capture and bag can be used in similar contexts, but capture suggests taking by overcoming resistance or difficulty.

capture an enemy stronghold

When is it sensible to use catch instead of bag?

While in some cases nearly identical to bag, catch implies the seizing of something in motion or in flight or in hiding.

caught the dog as it ran by

How do entrap and ensnare relate to one another, in the sense of bag?

Both entrap and ensnare more often are figurative.

entrapped the witness with a trick question
a sting operation that ensnared burglars

How is trap related to other words for bag?

Trap, snare, entrap, and ensnare imply seizing by some device that holds the one caught at the mercy of the captor. Trap and snare apply more commonly to physical seizing.

trap animals
snared butterflies with a net

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 bag
Noun
Wear them with wide-leg trousers and a crossbody bag in Rome or toss them on with a sundress for a sidewalk café lunch in Paris. Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 6 June 2025 Roughly 10 minutes later, the animal finally backed out of the shop, clutching one last bag of snacks in his trunk. Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 5 June 2025
Verb
To be sure, Rosso has long had Martens on his radar, tapping him in 2018 as a guest designer of his experimental capsule series Diesel Red Tag, one year after Martens bagged the prestigious ANDAM fashion prize, of which OTB is a historical sponsor and mentor. Miles Socha, Footwear News, 12 May 2025 Whether it is bagged or loose, the type of tea will influence the ideal temperature and the length of time it should be steeped. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for bag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bag
Noun
  • What to look for The recalled baby food comes in 4-ounce pouches of GreenWise Pear, Kiwi, Spinach & Pea Baby Food with a best by date of 11/1/2025.
    Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025
  • The brand is also introducing a new line of signature pouches adorned with the crystal Camelia medallion.
    Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • Here is a full breakdown of the Memorial Tournament's $20 million purse.
    Savannah Leigh Richardson, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 June 2025
  • There was a $20 million purse up for grabs at the Memorial, CBS Sports reported.
    CBS News, CBS News, 1 June 2025
Verb
  • Alleging an intrusive shed, a protruding carport and sprinkler damage, a Meridian church has taken legal action against a longtime neighbor.
    Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 30 May 2025
  • Using a chemical glove box, a polycarbonate glass box with protruding gloves that shields substances from oxygen and moisture, scientists combined the berkelium metal with an organic molecule containing only carbon and hydrogen to create a chemical reaction.
    Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Appeal To All Five Senses People still like going out, meeting others and grabbing coffee.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
  • Scott grabbed some pizza and returned to park her Subaru near the West Shore Market to wait for Serafini.
    Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • Place the basil leaves (and optional lemon zest) into a clean glass jar.
    Claudia Alarcón, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • The only two albums left in her catalog yet to be released as a re-recording are Reputation and her debut album.
    Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • Earlier this week, the Trump administration threatened California with fines and legal action after a 16-year-old transgender athlete AB Hernandez won both the high school girls' high jump and triple jump at a California state track meet, according to CBS News.
    Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 7 June 2025
  • Two Sacramento-area students won a national competition for their answers to that question as part of the build-up to next year’s celebrations of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
    Ethan Wolin, Sacbee.com, 7 June 2025
Verb
  • Any move to weaken the dollar might enrage Trump World, earning Japan bigger tariffs.
    William Pesek, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
  • In a year that emphasized bold narratives and artistic risk, several standout films earned praise.
    Jamie Lang, Variety, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • Along with that, though, Johnson cited a couple of plays that likely would have ended as sacks in a non-practice setting and also volunteered that, throughout OTAs, the Bears first-unit defense had frequently been getting the better of the offense in end-of-half and end-of-game situational work.
    Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025
  • Despite splitting time with Cooper McDonald, Deal finished tied for fifth in sacks in the league with 5.5.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bag. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on bag

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!