incarceration

noun

(ˌ)in-ˌkär-sə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce incarceration (audio)
Definition of incarcerationnext
1
as in captivity
the act of confining or the state of being confined he was bored and frustrated by his incarceration in the quarantine

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in imprisonment
the state of being held in lawful custody sentenced to six months of incarceration for dealing in narcotics

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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 incarceration The death of an incarceration woman at a Connecticut correctional facility is under investigation. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 27 Aug. 2026 Many argued that the money should instead be reinvested in the programs that prevent crime and incarceration, support low-income people and aid those leaving jail with re-entry efforts. — Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026 Cook County Judge Steven Jay Rosenblum sentenced Swan to three years incarceration for the first charge and 13 years for the second, to be served consecutively, in accordance with a plea agreement reached between prosecutors and Swan’s lawyers. — Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026 The Night Stalker’s gruesome spree throughout Los Angeles and across California has been given the TV, film, and podcast treatment since his incarceration in 1985, conviction in 1989, and death in captivity in 2013. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for incarceration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incarceration
  1. captivity
  2. imprisonment
  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
  • 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, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of imprisonment
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
  • 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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incarceration
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Cite this Entry

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

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