captor

noun

cap·​tor ˈkap-tər How to pronounce captor (audio)
-ˌtȯr
: one that has captured a person or thing

Examples of captor in a Sentence

The men fought their captors and escaped.
Recent Examples on the Web In one instance, Siegel says, their captors took her husband to the shower and forced him to shave his entire body. Corky Siemaszko, NBC News, 23 Feb. 2024 Soldiers who are being held as prisoners of war were interviewed in person in rebel compounds by a Post journalist, beyond the earshot of their captors. Rebecca Tan, Washington Post, 14 Feb. 2024 But Mehrtens has been held for far longer than most captives, and now a rift has emerged between Mehrtens’ captors as to what to do with the 37-year-old husband and father. Angus Watson, CNN, 6 Feb. 2024 Many believed Hearst was a victim of Stockholm Syndrome — when people who are abducted begin to sympathize with their captors. Corin Cesaric, Peoplemag, 3 Feb. 2024 The job goes awry for everyone when the girl reveals herself as a vampire and gleefully murders her captors one by one. Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2024 Her captor slid into the house undetected after cutting the screen of an open window, History.com reported. Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, 28 Jan. 2024 Even within the same vehicle, their captors don’t have access to simply start fresh elsewhere. Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 24 Jan. 2024 Three hostages were mistakenly killed by the army after escaping their captors in December. TIME, 12 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'captor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, from Latin capere

First Known Use

circa 1688, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of captor was circa 1688

Dictionary Entries Near captor

Cite this Entry

“Captor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/captor. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

captor

noun
cap·​tor ˈkap-tər How to pronounce captor (audio)
-ˌtȯ(ə)r
: one that has captured a person or thing
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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