as in jails
a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody
told harrowing stories of his years spent in the big house
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Recent Examples of big houses
However, a lot of big houses have been built on smallish lots.
—
Richard Dahlberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Wooden signs dot roadsides advertising homes from the $300,000s for a townhome to over $1 million for big houses in the most desirable suburban neighborhoods.
—Jonathan J. Cooper, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Thank goodness for wealthy people and their big houses.
—Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 7 Dec. 2025
Richard Dahlberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Wooden signs dot roadsides advertising homes from the $300,000s for a townhome to over $1 million for big houses in the most desirable suburban neighborhoods.
—Jonathan J. Cooper, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Thank goodness for wealthy people and their big houses.
—Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 7 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for big houses
Noun
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For decades, the Orange County branch of the Mexican Mafia was led by Peter Ojeda, a longtime Santa Ana gang chieftain who maintained control over the local streets and jails even after a federal racketeering conviction in 2006 left him in a prison cell three time zones away.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
23 Apr. 2026
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He has been held in jails in New York and Los Angeles, and for a time in New York state prison, since his first conviction in 2020.—
Karla Cote,
Variety,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Behind bars in state penitentiaries in Gatesville and Marlin, Mejia felt forgotten.—
Emiliano Tahui Gómez,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
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The wave of prison violence is happening despite the deployment of military and police forces in several penitentiaries.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
8 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The Mexican Mafia, described as the largest and most powerful gang operating from inside state prisons, controls gangs throughout Southern California.—
Brittny Mejia,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
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These journalists filled space with their reviews and a host of other stories related to theater including the work of theater productions in prisons, education, and other areas.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Big houses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/big%20houses. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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