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

The award is named after Justice Albie Sachs, a hero of the anti-apartheid movement who survived imprisonment, exile and an assassination attempt in the fight for equality in South Africa. — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2026

Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim’s top-secret doc is 174 minutes and follows Theranos founder and fraudster Elizabeth Holmes in her final days of freedom and first few weeks of imprisonment. — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 23 Sep. 2026

According to the department, this includes minimum fines of $2,000 or imprisonment in county jail for no less than 10 days, or both fine and imprisonment. — Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 22 Sep. 2026

China’s framework reaches up to seven years of imprisonment for the most serious cases. — Mala Ramakrishnan, Forbes.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Habeas corpus, which allows a defendant to challenge the legality of their imprisonment, is among several mechanisms for release, some of which depend on a detainee’s location. — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026

Now his mass deportations have created trauma and chaos in our communities, including unpredictable arrests, imprisonments, deportations and deaths. — Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 20 Sep. 2026

His subjects are voluntary members of the American elite who were at no risk of imprisonment or impoverishment. — Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026

Pirro could then bring the matter to a federal grand jury, which would have the power to hand up a criminal indictment that could ultimately culminate in fines and even imprisonment. — Lauren Peller, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026