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

As part of the agreement that was previously filed in court, prosecutors dismissed the charges of tampering with evidence, unlawful imprisonment and felony homicide against Jalen Pendergrass. — Hannah McIlree, CBS News, 31 July 2026

But even Lai, who received the harshest sentence of 20 years imprisonment, could receive visits in jail from his family shortly after he was locked up. — ABC News, 29 July 2026

His concerns about the current war are rooted in how Iranian interrogators responded to tensions with Washington during his own imprisonment. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026

He was arrested in Lebanon last year and sentenced by a military court to three months’ imprisonment for offenses including incitement to religious and sectarian conflict. — Geir Moulson, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026

In 2023, Ian was convicted of conspiracy to commit cyberstalking, cyberstalking, perjury and obstruction of justice for orchestrating the scheme that led to Hadley’s wrongful imprisonment. — Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 25 July 2026

Apartheid, political imprisonment, collective resistance and democratic transition belong to a moral and historical scale far beyond an executive transformation program. — Gerald J. Leonard, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

For the second count, Harvey faces a possible 10 additional years imprisonment, another fine as large as $250,000 or both. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 22 July 2026

The 38-year-old artist had become one of the most recognizable faces of Cuba’s pro-democracy movement long before his imprisonment. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 20 July 2026