Synonyms of incarcerate

incarcerate

verb

in-ˈkär-sə-ˌrāt 

as in to imprison

to put in or as if in prison

the state incarcerated over 1900 people last year

Synonyms & Similar Words

• imprison
• jail
• intern
• detain
• confine
• commit
• restrain
• arrest
• lock (up)
• immure
• catch
• restrict
• apprehend
• capture
• shut
• limit
• constrain
• jug
• seize
• gate
• bar
• keep
• bind
• impound
• impress
• hold
• nab
• pinch
• bust
• pick up
• enchain
• shackle
• handcuff
• fetter
• shanghai
• trammel
• manacle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• liberate
• free
• release
• discharge
• emancipate
• enfranchise
• manumit
• unbind
• unchain
• unfetter
• uncage

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of incarcerate

The goal is to eventually close the island to incarcerated individuals in a decarceration plan, replacing it with four other jails in Manhattan, The Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn. — Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 30 June 2026

Caleb Crawford was incarcerated in 2016 after indecently touching his cousin, a 12-year-old girl at the time. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 June 2026

Jones was incarcerated at Garner Correctional Institution on March 25, 2018, when officers transferred him to the mental health unit within the prison for monitoring. — Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2026

Religious vow Landor was incarcerated in Louisiana in 2020 for possessing methamphetamine, cocaine, amphetamine and marijuana. — Charles J. Russo, The Conversation, 26 June 2026

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