confinement

noun

kən-ˈfīn-mənt How to pronounce confinement (audio)
Definition of confinementnext
1
as in captivity
the act of confining or the state of being confined some wild animals take to confinement very poorly

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in restriction
the act or practice of keeping something (as an activity) within certain boundaries the confinement of commercial development to one stretch of roadway is intended to help preserve the town's rural character

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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 confinement As such, it could be easily exported to describe Jewish quarters elsewhere—and eventually adapted to describe sites of confinement or exclusion the world over. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026 In the 1925 novel, the appearance of fledglings symbolizes freedom, confinement and even spiritual rebirth, themes that follow lead characters Clarissa and Sally (whom Edebiri portrays) as the story unfolds. — Bianca Betancourt, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026 Alas, Hersh was to miss the flight because he was still being held hostage, starving, tortured, and surviving on that date in terrifying confinement. — Rachel Goldberg-Polin, Time, 6 Oct. 2026 Diamantis’ lawyer had asked for a period of home confinement. — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 3 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for confinement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confinement
  1. captivity
  2. restriction
  3. internment
  4. limitation
  5. imprisonment
  6. incarceration
  7. prison
Noun
  • In 1987, biologists captured the last free-flying condor to transfer it to captivity, and the largest flying North American bird species was officially declared extinct in the wild.
    — David Ginsburg, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026
  • But their local expertise, connections, courage, and instincts could stave off death or captivity.
    — Ben Taub, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of captivity
Noun
  • Elsewhere on the ballot, Miami-Dade voters rejected a referendum loosening restrictions on advertising in county parks.
    — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Transgender restrictions are proposed in several states Voters in Arizona, Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska and Washington are considering measures restricting transgender athletes or medical procedures.
    — David A. Lieb, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of restriction
Noun
  • Adding to the dark absurdity of the situation was the fact that Seghers’s husband, the Hungarian Marxist scholar László Radványi, was being held in a French internment camp, on the basis that Hungary was a German ally.
    — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
  • At the exhibition’s press opening, curator Cindy Kang talked about trying to dispel the idea that internment was an isolated incident that these artists then moved on from.
    — Robert Sullivan, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of internment
Noun
  • If successful, the work could offer defense engineers another way to overcome processing limitations.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026
  • People with osteoporosis, previous fractures or physical limitations may need guidance on appropriate movements and loads.
    — Priya Bhardwaj, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of limitation
Noun
  • Douglas detailed his volatile relationship with his late father, Kirk Douglas, his son Cameron’s addiction and imprisonment, and the Stage 4 cancer diagnosis that forced him to confront his own mortality.
    — Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • For decades, Florida lawmakers have demanded investigations, indictments and imprisonment for the Cuban leadership involved.
    — Liv Caputo Herald, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of imprisonment
Noun
  • This mandated that at least 10% of locally generated, unrestricted revenue be allocated to incarceration alternatives.
    — Times staff, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
  • His government’s own hardline crackdown on gangs back home did restore peace to what was once the most violent country in the Western Hemisphere — though critics highlight his use of mass incarceration and accusations of widespread abuses.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of incarceration
Noun
  • The statutory maximum is life in prison, Lett informed Désir, should he be found guilty.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Missouri state troopers have captured an escaped convict who broke free from a Tennessee prison last week, a highway patrol spokesperson told Fox News Digital Tuesday.
    — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of prison

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Cite this Entry

“Confinement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confinement. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on confinement

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about confinement

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