as in internment
the act of confining or the state of being confined
the wildlife refuge raises endangered species in captivity and then releases them into the wild
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Recent Examples of captivity
There was only one name on the list from Washington County, a young man who had been killed while in captivity.
—
Literary Hub, 14 May 2026
In captivity, the big cats can live 15 to 20 years.
—Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Another former hostage, Romi Gonen, 25, told Israel’s Channel 12 last month that she had been repeatedly raped by multiple men during her two years in captivity.
—Matt Bradley, NBC news, 14 May 2026
The incident spurred debate over keeping primates in captivity and discussion about the child’s parents’ accountability.
—USA Today, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for captivity
Literary Hub, 14 May 2026
In captivity, the big cats can live 15 to 20 years.
—Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Another former hostage, Romi Gonen, 25, told Israel’s Channel 12 last month that she had been repeatedly raped by multiple men during her two years in captivity.
—Matt Bradley, NBC news, 14 May 2026
The incident spurred debate over keeping primates in captivity and discussion about the child’s parents’ accountability.
—USA Today, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for captivity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captivity
Noun
-
Tursun, 36, told us that her newborn son — one of triplets — had been killed by the Chinese Communist Party and that she was tortured in internment camps.—
Michael Arkush,
Twin Cities,
26 May 2026
-
Doris Matsui's ads recount her own compelling life story — born in a Japanese internment camp during World War II.—
Steve Large,
CBS News,
20 May 2026
Noun
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This personal and profound odyssey follows basketball star Brittney Griner from her playing career and harrowing imprisonment in Russia through the extraordinary geopolitical battle to secure her freedom.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
14 May 2026
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The Chinese natives are currently incarcerated at the Ventura County Main Jail and the Todd Road Jail, respectively, and face up to four years’ imprisonment followed by two years of probation.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Noun
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Topping made the decision to start sharing her story on TikTok, months before the release of the new Netflix documentary The Crash, which details the events leading up to Shirilla's incarceration.—
Chris Spargo,
PEOPLE,
25 May 2026
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Through incarceration, through death, and doubt.—
Todd Spitzer,
Oc Register,
25 May 2026
Noun
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She likely won’t be sentenced until fall (possibly close to the general election) but will — again, just a likely here — at best face home confinement and at worst more than three years in prison.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
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Taylor also mentioned harsh conditions during Chkhikvishvili's nearly yearlong confinement in Moldova, where he was arrested in 2024 on an international warrant, according to his letter to the judge.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
Noun
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That a massive prison in the middle of a swamp turned out to be a boondoggle is a surprise only to Ron DeSantis and James Uthmeier.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
24 May 2026
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Kouri Richins listens as she is sentenced to life in prison without parole.—
Natalie Morales,
CBS News,
24 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Captivity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captivity. Accessed 28 May. 2026.
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