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
The book traces Woodke's harrowing experience in captivity and his adjustment to life upon his release in March 2023.
—
Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026
Its work on de-extincting woolly mammoths has, somewhat indirectly, led to the development of a vaccine against elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus, the number-one killer of young elephants in captivity and a significant threat to species in the wild.
—Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026
Zambian reserve rewilds captive lions Two lions born in captivity are preparing for life in the wild on the vast Lolelunga Private Reserve in Zambia.
—Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 18 May 2026
Kittleson was returned uninjured to the United States after approximately a week in captivity.
—Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for captivity
Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026
Its work on de-extincting woolly mammoths has, somewhat indirectly, led to the development of a vaccine against elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus, the number-one killer of young elephants in captivity and a significant threat to species in the wild.
—Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026
Zambian reserve rewilds captive lions Two lions born in captivity are preparing for life in the wild on the vast Lolelunga Private Reserve in Zambia.
—Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 18 May 2026
Kittleson was returned uninjured to the United States after approximately a week in captivity.
—Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for captivity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for captivity
Noun
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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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The judge sentenced him to 57 months of imprisonment for the fentanyl distribution charge and a consecutive 24 months for violating the conditions of his supervised release.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
28 May 2026
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Kelly's mother, Barbara Renner, is charged with manslaughter, and her daughter, Elyssa Seymore, is charged with unlawful imprisonment.—
Mahsa Saeidi,
CBS News,
28 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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The other, Mark Chavez, was sentenced to three years of supervised release with special conditions of eight months of home confinement and ordered to perform 300 hours of community service.—
Chelsea Hylton,
CBS News,
27 May 2026
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Chavez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and was sentenced to eight months of home confinement in December 2025.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
27 May 2026
Noun
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Ali wakes up in the morning to find Rue in the living room, learning from the news that Fez broke out of prison and vowing to get him.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
1 June 2026
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Erasures from his the poet’s journals narrate the speaker’s visit to his father in prison through the pinhole of what’s left of memory.—
Craig Morgan Teicher,
Literary Hub,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Captivity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/captivity. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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