Synonyms of incarcerated

incarcerated 1 of 2

adjective

in-ˈkär-sə-ˌrā-təd 

as in imprisoned

taken and held prisoner

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• imprisoned
• arrested
• captive
• jailed
• captured
• interned
• confined
• kidnapped
• caught
• apprehended
• enslaved
• behind bars
• trapped
• abducted
• bound
• indentured
• occupied
• subjugated
• subdued
• ensnared

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• free
• unconfined
• unrestrained
• released
• liberated
• freed
• emancipated
• delivered
• paroled
• enfranchised

incarcerated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of incarcerate

as in jailed

to put in or as if in prison

the state incarcerated over 1900 people last year

Synonyms & Similar Words

• imprisoned
• jailed
• interned
• confined
• detained
• arrested
• committed
• locked (up)
• restrained
• immured
• caught
• jugged
• captured
• apprehended
• restricted
• limited
• shut
• constrained
• seized
• barred
• gated
• bound
• impounded
• impressed
• held
• kept
• handcuffed
• shackled
• pinched
• busted
• nabbed
• fettered
• shanghaied
• manacled
• picked up
• enchained
• trammeled

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• liberated
• freed
• discharged
• released
• emancipated
• enfranchised
• manumitted
• unbound
• uncaged
• unchained
• unfettered

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of incarcerated

Adjective

Congress should fully fund federal prisons so the bureau is adequately staffed and equipped to safely prepare incarcerated men and women for reentry and reduce further instances of crime. — Scott Peyton, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026

Under President Joe Biden, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ordered Tel*Link to pay $3 million for illegally freezing and draining funds from incarcerated people’s accounts. — Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 8 Oct. 2026

Verb

He was previously incarcerated at the Fort Dix correctional institution. — Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Oct. 2026

In her experience, the criminal justice system doesn’t do nearly enough to rehabilitate the incarcerated and address the underlying issues, often based in trauma, that lead people to commit crimes. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026