CAPTIVITY Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

captivity

noun

kap-ˈti-və-tē

Definition of captivity

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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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of captivity Would Rhaenyra’s Syrax — a formidably sized dragon, albeit one raised in captivity — be able to torch them all? — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 June 2026 Martian spends the first half of Season 2 trading information with British intelligence in exchange for orchestrating Sami’s safe return from captivity. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 22 June 2026 Will Matt Damon suffer in his captivity, or enjoy it? — David Denby, New Yorker, 21 June 2026 There is also the mystery around the captivity of Otto Hightower, Alicent’s father. — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for captivity

Recent Examples of Synonyms for captivity

Noun

But the vastly different conditions under which these objects were produced—at an internment camp and a Pennsylvania estate—expose the striated reality behind that iconography.

— Cat Dawson, ARTnews.com, 3 July 2026
During the special, Klepper travels to a peaceful nude bike rally against ICE internment camps holding people without due process.

— Michael Schneider, Variety, 15 June 2026

Definition of internment

Noun

Renner was charged with second-degree manslaughter and Seymore with unlawful imprisonment, among other charges.

— Megan Fahrney, ABC News, 10 July 2026
The Budapest Metropolitan Court on Thursday found the man guilty of murder and sentenced him to 14 years imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

— Associate Press, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

Definition of imprisonment

Noun

His spouse, Marie Castro Fiallos, told the federal court her husband’s incarceration has been devastating for their children.

— Lauren Villagran, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
According to Evans, Holmes has maintained a spotless disciplinary record during her three years of incarceration.

— Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Definition of incarceration

Noun

The data, compiled by ICE and processed by a UC Berkeley Law School initiative, sheds light on how the agency has operated in Sacramento, where dozens of arrests have taken place downtown and through administrative transfers at prisons.

— Mathew Miranda July 9, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026
One of them, a 25-year-old Antioch man, is serving a prison sentence in an unrelated Walnut Creek shooting.

— Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 10 July 2026

Definition of prison

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captivities

captivity

captor

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“Captivity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captivity. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of captivity

noun

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