1
as in captivity
the act of confining or the state of being confined
the offense is punishable by a fine or imprisonment
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in incarceration
the state of being held in lawful custody
the long years of imprisonment had taken their toll on his mind and spirit as well as his body
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imprisonment
Noun
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In zoos, the architecture of captivity arguably finds its most devious achievement, because the designers want to hide the cages and accommodate masses of spectators.—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025 -
Although some have questioned the legality of Frankie’s captivity, the law is clear.—
Madeline King,
Kansas City Star,
29 July 2025
Noun
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Under an Ohio law that states the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction can extend an inmate's incarceration based on conduct, Turnage could spend up to 15 years in prison.—
Quinlan Bentley,
The Enquirer,
26 Aug. 2025
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Judge Michael Schwartz of Pierce County Superior Court found the circumstances surrounding the crime warranted a lesser sentence, allowing Kemp to avoid incarceration.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
24 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The base later served as an internment camp housing both foreign nationals and U.S. citizens of Japanese descent during World War Two.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
19 Aug. 2025
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The restaurant, located at 810 1/2 E. 31st St., was opened in 1951 by Paul and Kitty Kawakami, a Japanese-American couple who was confined in a California internment camp during World War II despite both being born in the U.S., according to The Star’s archives.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
25 July 2025
Noun
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Yost argued that the 2007 opinion did not take into account other types of civil detentions or agreements with federal immigration authorities.—
Victoria Moorwood,
The Enquirer,
30 Aug. 2025
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Immigration rights advocates have vehemently argued that the Trump administration violated Abrego Garcia and other detainees' right to due process by detaining and deporting them without giving them a chance to contest their detentions in court.—
Sonam Sheth
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Lu has been sentenced to four years in prison and three years of supervised release.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
23 Aug. 2025
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Each of the 11 charges against the men carries the same maximum penalty of six years in prison, in addition to a $10,000 fine.—
Jessie Opoien,
jsonline.com,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Suddenly, after previously resigning himself to a lifetime of confinement, David decides to stage an elaborate prison break — with some help — and goes on the run in order to find out what really happened to his only child.—
Max Gao,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Aug. 2025
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Instead, they are unlawfully used as bargaining chips in POW exchanges and suffer inhumane treatment while in confinement.—
TANYA LOKSHINA,
Foreign Affairs,
15 Aug. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Imprisonment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imprisonment. Accessed 2 Sep. 2025.
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