PRISONER Synonyms: 23 Similar and Opposite Words

prisoner

noun

ˈpriz-nər

Definition of prisoner

as in captive

one that has been taken and held in confinement the prisoners were fed only bread and water twice a day

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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 prisoner He is accused of personally recommending torture methods, receiving updates on specific victims’ treatment, and threatening to kill one prisoner’s child as a form of psychological torture. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026 He is accused of personally recommending torture methods, receiving updates on specific victims’ treatment and threatening to kill a prisoner’s child as a form of psychological torture. — Adam Reiss, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2026 Sources said a male prisoner in state police custody was getting medical attention and was handcuffed to a bed. — Cheryl Fiandaca, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 If found guilty, the prisoners remained locked up only until their execution. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prisoner

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prisoner

Noun

Jacob and the Reacher-Green duo are once again captives, being (separately) driven to remote spots for execution.

— Chris Klimek, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026
In a video widely shared on social media on Monday, a voice threatened to execute the captives if security operations against them continued.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of captive

Noun

She was seen near the shelter in the days leading up to her capture.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Much of the theory also stems from Belbruno's work on permanent capture into the solar system and weak stability boundaries published in 2024 in the journal Celestial Mechanics and Dynamical Astronomy.

— Leonard David, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of capture

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prison camps

prisoner

prisoners

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“Prisoner.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prisoner. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of prisoner

noun

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Synonyms of prisoner

noun

Example Sentences

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Articles Related to prisoner

Is it 'jail' or 'prison'?

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