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 Due to their tiny size, roughly 4 nanometers across, quantum confinement breaks their energy levels into discrete steps rather than a continuous chunk. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026 Last week, Lichter filed a petition of habeas corpus, challenging Morales Rojas’ arrest and confinement at the ICE immigration detention facility in Aurora. — Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 31 July 2026 Primary confinement boundary for plasma The vacuum vessel serves as the primary confinement boundary for the fusion plasma inside the reactor. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 30 July 2026 Even the same people who bred Flaco for captivity stumble through answers about why keeping wild animals in confinement is, somehow, the right choice for them. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 30 July 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
  • But Helaena puts an end to it all with a fatal leap from captivity.
    — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Nigerian forces rescued at least 308 victims from captivity in the past week, with the bulk of the victims coming from two distinct groups.
    — Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of captivity
Noun
  • And why should airport baggage restrictions get in the way of a good travel look?
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026
  • New York state requires riders of all forms of e-bikes to be at least 16, and New York City imposes additional restrictions, including a 15 mph (24 kph) speed limit.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 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
  • That could address a major limitation facing today’s AI agents.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 11 Aug. 2026
  • As played by Kate and Rooney Mara, in total sync, the driven, single-minded Jean and Joan become classic Herzogian outsiders, like Kaspar Hauser or Fitzcarraldo, daring to transcend the limitations of everyday living and language.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of limitation
Noun
  • Anyone possessing marijuana for personal use can be jailed for a month, while distribution and sales are punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment depending on the amount seized.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Authorities say the man was charged with one count of assaulting the crew of an aircraft, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; as well as one count of common assault, which carries a maximum sentence of two years imprisonment.
    — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of imprisonment
Noun
  • The poll, commissioned by the Vera Institute of Justice, a nonprofit working to end mass incarceration, was conducted shortly after ICE agents shot and killed two immigrants during traffic stops in Maine and Texas over the span of six days in July.
    — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2026
  • However, just before an August 2025 hearing, the filing states, the families learned Butler would not agree to plead guilty or to incarceration at a juvenile facility after all.
    — Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of incarceration
Noun
  • The rapper, born Kentrell Gaulden, was sentenced to 23 months in federal prison with credit for time served dating back to at least May 2024.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Clancy, who has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder, could face life in prison if convicted.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 14 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 14 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on confinement

Nglish: Translation of confinement for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about confinement

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