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 One of China’s most powerful AI models has joined the rush to escape confinement. — Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Shah was sentenced in 2024 to 7½ years in prison, and Agarwal was sentenced to three years of confinement at a halfway house. — Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026 The sheriff’s office added that the owner of the dogs was arrested on charges of animal cruelty, confinement of animals without sufficient food or water, and resisting without violence. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026 Instead, she was charged with one misdemeanor count of animal cruelty and one misdemeanor count of confinement of animals without sufficient exercise. — Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 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
  • During his captivity, his siblings organized weekly jam sessions in his honor at Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square.
    — Bianna Golodryga, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Rachel and her husband Jon worked tirelessly to bring Hersh and the other hostages home, but on the 328th day of his captivity, Hersh was executed in a tunnel in Gaza.
    — Will Croxton, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of captivity
Noun
  • Those restrictions formally sunset in 2022, but so far only Sony has done a major deal for cinemas, acquiring all 35 Alamo Drafthouse locations in 2024.
    — Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • And at the state level, Assemblymember Diane Papan (D-San Mateo) in February introduced AB 2595, which would allow San Mateo County to impose age restrictions for e-bike riders under 12 years old in its jurisdiction.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of restriction
Noun
  • While the boys were raised in Hiroshima, their parents and new baby brother were sent to an internment camp in Poston, Arizona, as the fighting continued.
    — Rina Nakano, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Established in 1855 as a military post to fight against the Mescalero Apache, the fort went on to play a minor role in the Civil War and later served as a tuberculosis sanitorium and a World War II internment camp.
    — Allison Savage Bates, Denver Post, 19 July 2026
Definition of internment
Noun
  • Even under strict limitations, the reopening of the trade channel brought relief to Mexico’s ranching industry, which was dealt an economic blow by the controls.
    — Abraham Tellez, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Even with those limitations, the search terms show shoppers moving beyond broad brand names and into particular creative eras.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of limitation
Noun
  • Violations of these laws may result in criminal fines and imprisonment.
    — Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The sentences are to run concurrently for a total of 10 years imprisonment.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of imprisonment
Noun
  • Laws regarding incarceration of youthful offenders — age 25 or younger at the time of the crime — have evolved since the siblings were tried.
    — Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026
  • His father, Michael Spitze, was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison in May after admitting to trying to tamper with witnesses during his son’s incarceration.
    — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of incarceration
Noun
  • Adan Osman Salat, 23, was sentenced to two years fixed and a possible 15 years on probation or in prison by 3rd District Judge Gabriel McCarthy, according to online court records and audio obtained by the Idaho Statesman.
    — Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 27 Aug. 2026
  • When the brothers arrived in court two days later, the jewel tones were ditched, and each wore a drab tan prison jumpsuit.
    — Jonny Hallam, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 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 28 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on confinement

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about confinement

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