IMPRISONMENT Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

imprisonment

noun

Definition of imprisonment

as in captivity

the act of confining or the state of being confined the offense is punishable by a fine or imprisonment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in incarceration

the state of being held in lawful custody the long years of imprisonment had taken their toll on his mind and spirit as well as his body

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 imprisonment Habeas corpus cases are challenges in federal court of detention or imprisonment. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026 He was forced into exile for expressing and publishing his beliefs and endured imprisonment and torture. — Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026 Bateman led an offshoot of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and presented himself as a religious prophet following the imprisonment of longtime FLDS leader Warren Jeffs, PEOPLE previously reported. — Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026 The Manhattan Federal Court action filed by the British former socialite in December argued that new information arising in related lawsuits and the government’s trove of investigative files on Epstein proved her imprisonment was unlawful. — Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 25 Aug. 2026 During his imprisonment, Gao has suffered from several health issues, including respiratory challenges, and knee and back problems. — News Desk, Artforum, 25 Aug. 2026 The sentences are to run concurrently for a total of 10 years imprisonment. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026 Dozens of journalists were also gathered at the hospital, hoping to get photos or video of Khan, who has not been seen publicly since his imprisonment in 2023 in a graft case. — ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026 The appeal spared him imprisonment and cleared his name but did not restore his career. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for imprisonment

Noun

During his captivity, his siblings organized weekly jam sessions in his honor at Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square.

— Bianna Golodryga, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
Rachel and her husband Jon worked tirelessly to bring Hersh and the other hostages home, but on the 328th day of his captivity, Hersh was executed in a tunnel in Gaza.

— Will Croxton, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of captivity

Noun

Since my incarceration nearly six months ago, my metamorphosis has accelerated with new meaning.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
Simply having charges filed can mean a job loss, losing custody of kids, incarceration for months or years waiting for a trial, financial hardship and stigma.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of incarceration

Noun

One of the hardest days After being detained at the border and months in ICE detention, Nika had briefly been allowed to live freely in California.

— Mick Krever, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
Authorities said the suspect will face charges at a detention hearing Monday morning at the Santa Clara County Juvenile Justice Courthouse in downtown San Jose.

— Jason Green, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of detention

Noun

Adan Osman Salat, 23, was sentenced to two years fixed and a possible 15 years on probation or in prison by 3rd District Judge Gabriel McCarthy, according to online court records and audio obtained by the Idaho Statesman.

— Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 27 Aug. 2026
When the brothers arrived in court two days later, the jewel tones were ditched, and each wore a drab tan prison jumpsuit.

— Jonny Hallam, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of prison

Noun

After being released from prison into in-home confinement in December, Shah has officially completed her federal sentence.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
After his original arrest by the Mokena Police Department, Alsaidi was ordered released on conditions of electronic monitoring and home confinement by Will County Judge Theodore Jarz.

— Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of confinement

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imprisonment

imprisonments

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“Imprisonment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imprisonment. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of imprisonment

noun

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