false imprisonment

noun

: imprisonment of a person contrary to law

Examples of false imprisonment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Meanwhile, Arzola remains locked up at a Miami-Dade County jail as of Saturday and was charged with armed robbery, false imprisonment and criminal mischief. Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2026 The judge ordered a two-day trial on the false imprisonment charge to begin March 16. Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 6 Feb. 2026 Marcelino pled guilty to four counts of lewd acts on a child 14 or 15 years old, with the defendant being at least 10 years older; three counts of lewd acts on a child younger than 14; one count of false imprisonment; and one count of injuring a child. Stephanie Kaloi, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026 According to police records obtained by VIBE, Andrade is facing multiple felony charges, including home invasion with a firearm, false imprisonment/kidnapping, and grand larceny. Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 3 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for false imprisonment

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of false imprisonment was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“False imprisonment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/false%20imprisonment. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

Legal Definition

false imprisonment

noun
: the tort of intentionally restraining another by physical force or the threat of physical force without privilege or authority see also false arrest at arrest

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