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

Douglas detailed his volatile relationship with his late father, Kirk Douglas, his son Cameron’s addiction and imprisonment, and the Stage 4 cancer diagnosis that forced him to confront his own mortality. — Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

For decades, Florida lawmakers have demanded investigations, indictments and imprisonment for the Cuban leadership involved. — Liv Caputo Herald, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026

For some, the potential release of thousands of prisoners doesn’t go far enough to repair the damage of their prolonged imprisonment. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

The series, directed by Phillipa Lowthorpe and also starring Joseph Fiennes, told the true story of Zaghari Ratfcliffe’s wrongful seven-year imprisonment in Iran and her husband’s subsequent fight for her release. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026

One of those Americans was punched, subjected to electric shocks and forced to eat his own vomit during eight months of imprisonment, the indictment says. — Philip Marcelo, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Whether or not Hal was right to entice Zoe (upon whose shoulders the carnage ultimately falls), his decision to circumvent the Guardians’ chain of command is what ultimately leads to countless deaths and his imprisonment for reckless endangerment. — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026

For The Other Side of the Sun, which premiered at Berlin, director Sabouni returned to Saydnaya Prison with four fellow survivors to retrace the places and experiences that shaped their years of imprisonment. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026

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