jailbird

noun

ˈjāl-ˌbərd How to pronounce jailbird (audio)
Definition of jailbirdnext
as in prisoner
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

Relevance

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 jailbird But these jailbirds aren’t using their own fingers to fire off missives or create clones. — Andrew Zucker, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026 And these seven crooked cops are just the tip of the MSP jailbird iceberg. — Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 17 Jan. 2026 At no point has the jailbird shown contrition for her crimes. — Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 1 Dec. 2025 Becomes a jailbird at a high-security zoo after he’s caught, with the newest Wallace & Gromit film, Vengeance Most Fowl, finding Feathers, all these years later, hell-bent on getting even with the duo who locked him up. — Devon Ivie, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for jailbird
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jailbird
  1. prisoner
  2. inmate
  3. convict
  4. con
Noun
  • In episode seven alone, Rhaenyra’s prisoner sees a gray mare and doors that open to her.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026
  • She has not been seen publicly since then, and the last official photo of her released was in April, when she was moved from prison to house arrest and her sentence was reduced as part of a prisoner amnesty for a Buddhist holiday.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of prisoner
Noun
  • Mandatory evacuations were ordered Sunday evening for the town's southern portion, and inmates at the county jail were transferred.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Colt Gray’s jail counselor, Stephen Baker, later confirmed their juvenile inmates are not allowed to have photos of school shooters.
    — Isabel Rosales, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of inmate
Noun
  • The show, which follows an ex-convict who seeks revenge on the lawyer who represented him, stars Javier Bardem, Amy Adams and Patrick Wilson, and is produced by Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg.
    — Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 30 July 2026
  • Sochor is scheduled to be the second Broward convict executed this year.
    — Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 13 July 2026
Definition of convict
Noun
  • Let’s go over a few scenarios and the pros and cons that come with each.
    — Peter Baugh, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
  • North in Boise, to learn the pros and cons of purchasing a new construction versus an existing home.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of con

Browse Nearby Words

jail
jailbird
jailbirds
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Jailbird.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jailbird. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of nurture

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All