Pronunciation

/kəˈpɪtɪv/

Definitions

• Noun: A person who is held prisoner or confined, especially against their will. Also used figuratively for something that is restricted or immobile. Example: “The captive audience listened intently to the speaker.”
• Verb: To capture or seize someone or something, making them prisoner. Example: “The enemy captured the enemy soldiers.”
• Adjective: Held captive, imprisoned, or restricted in some way. Example: “Her imagination was captive by the story’s twists and turns.”

Phrases

• “Captive audience” refers to a group of people who are forced to listen to a particular performance or presentation.
• “Escape from captivity” describes the act of freeing oneself from imprisonment or captivity.
• “Captive mind” implies complete absorption or fixation on a particular thought or idea.

Example Sentences

• Noun: “The children were captives of their fears during the storm.”
• Verb: “After months of planning, they finally managed to free the hostages.”
• Adjective: “Her eyes were fixed in a captive gaze upon the painting.”

Synonyms

• Prisoner
• Captive animal
• Imprisoned
• Restricted
• Ensnared
• Entrapped

Antonyms

• Free
• Unchained
• Unconstrained
• Unrestricted
• Unbound