captivity
noun
cap·tiv·i·ty
kap-ˈti-və-tē 
Examples of captivity in a Sentence
The prisoners were released from captivity.
the wildlife refuge raises endangered species in captivity and then releases them into the wild
Recent Examples on the Web
While Macron and his colleagues will celebrate, 48 hostages will stay in captivity in Gaza.
—
Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2025
The arbitrary nature of torture places the text in the long genealogy of the captivity narrative; if there is a degree of the adventure yarn in the tale, than there is also something of an Arthur Koestler or an Alexander Solzhenitsyn as well.
—Ed Simon
september 22, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
United Nations health experts had also warned that the couple’s captivity could harm or even kill them.
—Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Rescuers are waiting to hear back from wildlife officials on the next steps for the newborns, who may not be able to go into the wild after living in captivity.
—Simone Jasper, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for captivity
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Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2025
The arbitrary nature of torture places the text in the long genealogy of the captivity narrative; if there is a degree of the adventure yarn in the tale, than there is also something of an Arthur Koestler or an Alexander Solzhenitsyn as well.
—Ed Simon
september 22, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
United Nations health experts had also warned that the couple’s captivity could harm or even kill them.
—Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Rescuers are waiting to hear back from wildlife officials on the next steps for the newborns, who may not be able to go into the wild after living in captivity.
—Simone Jasper, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for captivity
Cite this Entry
“Captivity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/captivity. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
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