Synonyms of prisoner

prisoner

noun

ˈpriz-nər 

as in captive

one that has been taken and held in confinement

the prisoners were fed only bread and water twice a day

Synonyms & Similar Words

• captive
• capture
• internee
• convict
• jailbird
• arrestee
• coprisoner
• abductee
• kidnappee

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• guard
• warden
• guardian
• captor
• jailer
• keeper
• marshal
• custodian
• kidnapper
• abductor

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of prisoner

There’s a kind of prisoner’s dilemma hurting Democrats who want to beat the left in swing-state primaries. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Played with unctuous authority by the multilingual Danish performer Claes Bang, Kersten claims to have used his influence to obtain the freedom of thousands of concentration camp prisoners, and is obsessed with winning a Nobel Prize. — Alissa Simon, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026

Haiti’s prisons are not only notorious for their security lapses, but often the only way prisoners eat is if food is provided by friends and relatives. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2026

Human rights organizations have released multiple reports alleging Palestinian prisoners are mistreated, tortured and wrongfully detained in Israeli jails. — CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026