incarcerated

adjective

in·​car·​cer·​at·​ed in-ˈkär-sə-ˌrā-təd 

1

: confined in a jail or prison

Michigan law allows convicted felons to vote and run for office unless they are currently incarcerated, or if their offenses are fraud-related or constitute a breach of public trust.

—The Hartford (Connecticut) Courant

… whatever was needed for her programs combating domestic violence and aiding incarcerated women, ex-offenders, and their children.

—Peter Steinfels

Comparing the responses of incarcerated boys with nondelinquent adolescents, Scarpitti (1980) describes the three most probable identity resolutions …

—Judith Steven-Long et al.

2

medical, of a hernia : constricted but not strangulated

Within the incarcerated, herniated gastric cardia, there was an acute, benign gastric ulcer.

—Gregory J. Gallivan

Synonyms of incarcerated

• imprisoned
• arrested
• captive
• jailed

Examples of incarcerated in a Sentence

incarcerated residents of that state are still allowed to vote in elections

Recent Examples on the Web

Elderly parole eligibility is determined by when the incarcerated person turns 50 years old and has served 20 years of continuous time in prison. —Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 24 Feb. 2026

The author argues that San Quentin’s transformation into a rehabilitation center represents a remarkable shift in how society should approach incarceration, given that 95% of incarcerated people are eventually released back into communities. —Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026

The family of Cherrie Mahan, the 8-year-old girl who disappeared 41 years ago Sunday, is hoping an incarcerated man could be the key to bringing their decades-long nightmare to a close. —Ricky Sayer, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026

As of November 21, 19 states have been approved for pre-release coverage for incarcerated people, and nine states are pending approval, according to the KFF. —Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 20 Feb. 2026

The county in court filings has denied violating the rights of incarcerated people. —Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026

The sheriff’s office stated that Harrell was waiting for the release of an incarcerated individual. —Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2026

Such items can be repurposed in ways that could present a safety risk to staff and the incarcerated population, the statement said. —Katie Mulvaney, The Providence Journal, 13 Feb. 2026

Founded in the 1940s as the Central Florida Hygiene Society, the association initially offered mental health care to incarcerated and institutionalized people. —Michael Cuglietta, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1766, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for incarcerated

• abbreviated
• accelerated
• accentuated
• accommodated
• acculturated
• accumulated
• acidulated
• adjudicated
• administrated
• adulterated
• affiliated
• agglomerated

Medical Definition

incarcerated

adjective

in·​car·​cer·​at·​ed in-ˈkär-sə-ˌrāt-əd 

of a hernia

: constricted but not strangulated