Synonyms of imprisonment

imprisonment

noun

1

as in captivity

the act of confining or the state of being confined

the offense is punishable by a fine or imprisonment

Synonyms & Similar Words

• captivity
• internment
• incarceration
• prison
• confinement
• impoundment
• servitude
• immurement
• enslavement
• bondage
• arrest
• custody
• restriction
• capture
• detention
• restraint
• entrapment
• house arrest
• detainment
• detainer

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• liberation
• release
• redemption
• emancipation
• freedom
• liberty
• manumission
• independence

2

as in incarceration

the state of being held in lawful custody

the long years of imprisonment had taken their toll on his mind and spirit as well as his body

Synonyms & Similar Words

• incarceration
• detention
• captivity
• confinement
• internment
• arrest
• detainment
• detainer
• immurement
• hold
• seizure
• apprehension
• capture
• arrestment
• collar
• restraint
• entrapment
• pinch
• bust
• enchainment

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discharge
• release
• freedom
• liberation
• emancipation

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of imprisonment

Indecent exposure to a minor under the age of 15 is also a Class 6 felony, resulting in a Class 6 felony as well, which is a far more serious crime resulting in imprisonment in state or federal prison. — Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 1 Sep. 2026

During her imprisonment, Stötzer refused to leave the GDR for West Germany under the Häftlingsfreikauf program, which offered ransoms for political prisoners. — Elisa R. Linn, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026

Selective repression had already been introduced before 2022 with the imprisonment of a number of governors, ministers, and high-ranking civil servants on charges of corruption and abuse of power. — Andrei Soldatov, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026

Habeas corpus cases are challenges in federal court of detention or imprisonment. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026

He was forced into exile for expressing and publishing his beliefs and endured imprisonment and torture. — Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026

Bateman led an offshoot of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and presented himself as a religious prophet following the imprisonment of longtime FLDS leader Warren Jeffs, PEOPLE previously reported. — Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026

The Manhattan Federal Court action filed by the British former socialite in December argued that new information arising in related lawsuits and the government’s trove of investigative files on Epstein proved her imprisonment was unlawful. — Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 25 Aug. 2026

The sentences are to run concurrently for a total of 10 years imprisonment. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026