incarcerated

adjective

in·​car·​cer·​at·​ed in-ˈkär-sə-ˌrā-təd 

1

: confined in a jail or prison

Michigan law allows convicted felons to vote and run for office unless they are currently incarcerated, or if their offenses are fraud-related or constitute a breach of public trust.

—The Hartford (Connecticut) Courant

… whatever was needed for her programs combating domestic violence and aiding incarcerated women, ex-offenders, and their children.

—Peter Steinfels

Comparing the responses of incarcerated boys with nondelinquent adolescents, Scarpitti (1980) describes the three most probable identity resolutions …

—Judith Steven-Long et al.

2

medical, of a hernia : constricted but not strangulated

Within the incarcerated, herniated gastric cardia, there was an acute, benign gastric ulcer.

—Gregory J. Gallivan

Synonyms of incarcerated

• imprisoned
• arrested
• captive
• jailed

Examples of incarcerated in a Sentence

incarcerated residents of that state are still allowed to vote in elections

Recent Examples on the Web

The next day, Gray escaped from Louisville’s jail by taking an incarcerated person’s armband and signing out as that person. — Monroe Trombly, Louisville Courier Journal, 21 July 2026

The exhibition also includes information on case law related to freedom of religion, including for incarcerated people. — Stephen Silver, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026

In one case reviewed by The Marshall Project, an incarcerated man reported being pepper-sprayed, choked, beaten with a baton and repeatedly called racial slurs by Kentucky officers who were later convicted. — Christie Thompson, NPR, 13 July 2026

Legal questions remain Legal advocates said Missouri’s decision to discontinue hormone replacement therapy for incarcerated people could expose the state to constitutional challenges similar to those brought elsewhere. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1766, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for incarcerated

• abbreviated
• accelerated
• accentuated
• accommodated
• acculturated
• accumulated
• acidulated
• adjudicated
• administrated
• adulterated
• affiliated
• agglomerated

Medical Definition

incarcerated

adjective

in·​car·​cer·​at·​ed in-ˈkär-sə-ˌrāt-əd 

of a hernia

: constricted but not strangulated