prize

1 of 5

noun (1)

ˈprīz How to pronounce prize (audio)
Synonyms of prize
1
: something offered or striven for in competition or in contests of chance
also : premium sense 1e
2
: something exceptionally desirable
3
archaic : a contest for a reward : competition

prize

2 of 5

adjective

1
a
: awarded or worthy of a prize
b
: awarded as a prize
c
: entered for the sake of a prize
a prize drawing
2
: outstanding of a kind
raised prize hogs

prize

3 of 5

verb (1)

prized; prizing

transitive verb

1
: to estimate the value of : rate
2
: to value highly : esteem
a prized possession

prize

4 of 5

noun (2)

1
: something taken by force, stratagem, or threat
especially : property lawfully captured at sea in time of war
2
: an act of capturing or taking
especially : the wartime capture of a ship and its cargo at sea

prize

5 of 5

verb (2)

prized; prizing

transitive verb

: to press, force, or move with a lever : pry

Synonyms of prize

Relevance

Noun (1)

Adjective

Verb (1)

Verb (2)

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for prize

Verb (1)

appreciate, value, prize, treasure, cherish mean to hold in high estimation.

appreciate often connotes sufficient understanding to enjoy or admire a thing's excellence.

appreciates fine wine

value implies rating a thing highly for its intrinsic worth.

values our friendship

prize implies taking a deep pride in something one possesses.

Americans prize their freedom

treasure emphasizes jealously safeguarding something considered precious.

a treasured memento

cherish implies a special love and care for something.

cherishes her children above all

Noun (2)

spoil, plunder, booty, prize, loot mean something taken from another by force or craft.

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

plunder applies to what is taken not only in war but in robbery, banditry, grafting, or swindling.

a bootlegger's plunder

booty implies plunder to be shared among confederates.

thieves dividing up their booty

prize applies to spoils captured on the high seas or territorial waters of the enemy.

the wartime right of seizing prizes at sea

loot applies especially to what is taken from victims of a catastrophe.

picked through the ruins for loot

Examples of prize in a Sentence

Noun (1) in the view of most of her friends, her current boyfriend is certainly no prize the Pritzker Architecture Prize is the world's most prestigious honor in the field of architecture Adjective Dad brought back his prize catch, a three-foot striped bass. I felt a prize fool for making such a stupid mistake. Verb (1) veterinarians know that pets are highly prized by their owners Verb (2) prizing the stubborn nails out of the board trying to prize apart the jammed gears
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
She was announced as the winner of this year’s prize early Friday morning at a press conference by the Norwegian Nobel Committee held in Oslo, Norway. — Christopher Tremoglie, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026 Set at a castle deep in the Scottish Highlands, this nail-biting psychological adventure sees contestants work together on a series of exhilarating missions to build a prize fund worth up to $250,000. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
Beef tallow is rendered beef fat with a 400 degree Fahrenheit smoke point, prized for its rich flavor and now finding its way back into kitchens as cooks look past industrial seed oils. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2026 One study found that, while just under half of hiring managers looked for AI and related tech skills, nearly three quarters (73%) prized critical thinking/problem-solving, and 65% looked for adaptability/learning agility. — Reynald Fasciaux, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prize

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English pris prize, price — more at price entry 1

Verb (1)

Middle English prisen, from Anglo-French priser, preiser to appraise, esteem, from Late Latin pretiare, from Latin pretium price, value — more at price entry 1

Noun (2)

Middle English prise, from Anglo-French, taking, seizure, from prendre to take, from Latin prehendere — more at get

Verb (2)

prize lever

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1739, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb (2)

1574, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prize was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing prize

Rhymes for prize

See All Rhymes for prize

Browse Nearby Words

prizable
prize
prize court
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prize. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

prize

1 of 5 noun
ˈprīz How to pronounce prize (audio)
1
: something won or to be won in a contest
2
: something unusually valuable or eagerly sought

prize

2 of 5 adjective
1
a
: awarded a prize
a prize essay
b
: awarded as a prize
prize money
2
: outstanding of its kind
a prize fool
a prize student

prize

3 of 5 verb
prized; prizing
1
: to estimate the value of
2
: to value highly : treasure

prize

4 of 5 noun
: something taken (as in war) especially at sea

prize

5 of 5 verb
prized; prizing
: to force or move with or as if with a lever : pry
Etymology

Noun

Middle English pris "prize, price, value," from early French pris (same meaning), from Latin pretium "price, money" — related to price

Verb

Middle English prisen "to appraise, esteem," from early French prisier (same meaning), from Latin pretiare (same meaning), from earlier pretium (noun) "price, value"

Noun

Middle English prise "something taken by force or threat," from early French prise "taking, seizure," from prendre "to take," from Latin prehendere "to take"

Legal Definition

prize

noun
1
: property (as a ship) lawfully captured in time of war
2
: the wartime capture of a ship and its cargo at sea
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