jailbirds

noun

plural of jailbird
as in prisoners
a person convicted as a criminal and serving a prison sentence had spent most of his sorry life as a jailbird in hoosegows across the South

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 jailbirds But these jailbirds aren’t using their own fingers to fire off missives or create clones. — Andrew Zucker, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jailbirds
  1. prisoners
  2. convicts
  3. inmates
Noun
  • Gamblers would bet on the fates of prisoners awaiting execution and of prominent people whose illnesses were reported on in the newspaper.
    — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
  • As modern prisons proliferated across the nation, major cities exported prisoners to state prisons in less populated areas.
    — Ella Siegrist, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of prisoners
Noun
  • He is listed among the two hundred convicts who arrived in Sydney aboard the barque Norfolk in August 1829.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
  • The new bill has a broader base of legislative support and instead uses the preference distinction to incentivize hiring former convicts as opposed to the 15% quota.
    — Evelyn Ronan, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026
Definition of convicts
Noun
  • So far this year, 24 inmates have been executed, with another 13 on the calendar through December, though more are expected to be added.
    — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • In his request for additional funding, Soptic said not funding more sheriff’s office personnel at this point could present serious safety concerns, including for inmates and deputies at the county’s jail.
    — Sofi Zeman August 31, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of inmates

Browse Nearby Words

jailbird
jailbirds
jailbreak
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Cite this Entry

“Jailbirds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jailbirds. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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