penitentiary

noun

ˌpe-nə-ˈten(t)-sh(ə-)rē How to pronounce penitentiary (audio)
Definition of penitentiarynext
as in prison
a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody a sentence in the state penitentiary for robbery

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 penitentiary One of her clients has gone MIA from the state penitentiary – but how can a man go missing in prison? — Denise Petski, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2026 One of her clients has gone MIA from the state penitentiary — but how can a man go missing in prison? — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026 On this day in 1934, Alcatraz welcomed its first civilian prisoners, a group of 14 from the federal penitentiary on McNeil Island, Washington. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Aug. 2026 From 1873 to 1991, the island served as Costa Rica’s principal penitentiary, where some of the country’s worst criminals were sent to serve often short and torturous sentences. — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for penitentiary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penitentiary
  1. prison
  2. jail
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
  • He was given an option to bypass jail by paying a $250 fine and providing the filings within a week.
    — Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Castro was released from a Texas jail last week after a judge declined to order his return to Minnesota.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of jail

Browse Nearby Words

penitentiaries
penitentiary
penman
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on penitentiary

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about penitentiary

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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