imprisonment

noun

Definition of imprisonmentnext
1
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
  1. captivity
  2. incarceration
  3. internment
  4. detention
  5. prison
  6. confinement
Noun
  • According to the Corps, an estimated 600 Azov brigade servicemen are among the thousands still in Russian captivity.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • 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
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
  • Matsui’s response centered on her family’s history in a Japanese internment camp.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Some members of their extended family served in the military during World War II; others were sent to internment camps.
    — Christopher Cox, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of internment
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
  • The jury did convict Rosado of driving under the influence and he was sentenced to five years in prison, but Rosado has been behind bars on a $2 million bail since 2021 so won't have to serve any additional time.
    — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Over the course of Exile, one of Loktev’s subjects is poisoned; another receives a five-year prison sentence in absentia.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of prison
Noun
  • Judge Kimberly Gallant said he must be fitted with an ankle monitor before his release and will then spend his time in home confinement.
    — Caroline Silva, AJC.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Type One Energy’s approach is built around stellarator confinement.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of confinement

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imprisoning
imprisonment
imprisonments
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Cite this Entry

“Imprisonment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imprisonment. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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