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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 imprisonment
This personal and profound odyssey follows basketball star Brittney Griner from her playing career and harrowing imprisonment in Russia through the extraordinary geopolitical battle to secure her freedom.
—
Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 14 May 2026
The Chinese natives are currently incarcerated at the Ventura County Main Jail and the Todd Road Jail, respectively, and face up to four years’ imprisonment followed by two years of probation.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
Her latest imprisonment began in December when she was arrested in the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad.
—ABC News, 13 May 2026
In some cases, those that fail to report or report false information could face fines, imprisonment or other civil and criminal penalties.
—Kaitlyn McCormick, USA Today, 11 May 2026
Then came Chunyan’s own imprisonment.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2026
As a result of her imprisonment, however, her health declined rapidly.
—Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 8 May 2026
Fay, who was 18 at the time, was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment and six strokes of the cane, which was reduced to four strokes after the case caused an international furor and intervention from then-US President Bill Clinton.
—Jack Guy, CNN Money, 6 May 2026
After 36 years in prison, false testimony is revealed to have led to their imprisonment.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 6 May 2026
Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 14 May 2026
The Chinese natives are currently incarcerated at the Ventura County Main Jail and the Todd Road Jail, respectively, and face up to four years’ imprisonment followed by two years of probation.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
Her latest imprisonment began in December when she was arrested in the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad.
—ABC News, 13 May 2026
In some cases, those that fail to report or report false information could face fines, imprisonment or other civil and criminal penalties.
—Kaitlyn McCormick, USA Today, 11 May 2026
Then came Chunyan’s own imprisonment.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2026
As a result of her imprisonment, however, her health declined rapidly.
—Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 8 May 2026
Fay, who was 18 at the time, was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment and six strokes of the cane, which was reduced to four strokes after the case caused an international furor and intervention from then-US President Bill Clinton.
—Jack Guy, CNN Money, 6 May 2026
After 36 years in prison, false testimony is revealed to have led to their imprisonment.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 6 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imprisonment
Noun
-
Ukraine is consistently working to bring its people home from Russian captivity.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
8 May 2026
-
After being rescued from a Taiwanese fish market several years ago, Yushan is the only whale shark in captivity in the Western Hemisphere, according to aquarium officials.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
The Alternative Programs offers no-cash-bail alternatives to incarceration for youth and adult non-violent offenders in South Florida.—
Najahe Sherman,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
-
Such families are common in Appalachia, where poverty and incarceration rates are high, and the effects of the opioid crisis linger across successive generations.—
Casey Cep,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Among the most painful letters are those between Scheidt’s father and his brother, who would also spend time in internment camps.—
Andrew Silow-Carroll,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The few works in the show depicting Stojka’s experiences before and after internment capture the particularity of Romani life.—
Ben Davis,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Dalila Santiago, a close friend and leader in López’s movement, said after rampant impunity in Honduras, Fúnez’s detention came as a shock.—
Marlon González,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
-
Taylor denied medical care, food during detention For the first time, Taylor described conditions inside the Stewart Detention Center in his own words.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Her foundation said she has been granted a prison sentence suspension on bail.—
Sarah el Deeb,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
-
Broderick was rushed from the California Institution for Women, the prison where she was being held, to a medical facility on April 18.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
She likely won’t be sentenced until fall (possibly close to the general election) but will — again, just a likely here — at best face home confinement and at worst more than three years in prison.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
-
Taylor also mentioned harsh conditions during Chkhikvishvili's nearly yearlong confinement in Moldova, where he was arrested in 2024 on an international warrant, according to his letter to the judge.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Imprisonment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imprisonment. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
