Synonyms of imprison

imprison

verb

im-ˈpri-zᵊn 

as in to jail

to put in or as if in prison

in this society, we try to imprison criminals so that they can't do any more harm

Synonyms & Similar Words

• jail
• incarcerate
• detain
• confine
• intern
• restrain
• commit
• arrest
• lock (up)
• immure
• restrict
• catch
• capture
• shut
• apprehend
• constrain
• limit
• seize
• jug
• gate
• impress
• bind
• keep
• bar
• hold
• impound
• nab
• pinch
• enchain
• handcuff
• shackle
• bust
• fetter
• pick up
• manacle
• shanghai
• trammel

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• liberate
• free
• release
• discharge
• emancipate
• enfranchise
• unchain
• unbind
• manumit
• unfetter
• uncage

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of imprison

Last year’s prize went to journalists Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaghlobeli, who were imprisoned in Belarus and Georgia, respectively. — Lorne Cook, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Hubbard was imprisoned in Russia for more than four years after being accused of fighting for Ukraine. — Mark Osborne, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Many governments are doing this through surveillance, monitoring social media, doxxing, creating AI deepfakes and even forcibly repatriating critics in exile and imprisoning them. — Mary Lind, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2026

Otero Alcántara, who was released into exile three months ago after five years in prison, said he had been arrested several times before he was imprisoned in 2021. — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026