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

Carpenter, now 62, has been incarcerated at York Correctional Institution in Niantic for 25 years. — Greg Smith, Hartford Courant, 8 Sep. 2026

People in crisis incarcerated in Joliet have set over 60 fires since summer 2024, including eight cases of self-immolation and, after guards impeded access to lifesaving care, at least one death. — Joan Steffen, Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2026

According to Green, while Gabriel was still incarcerated on the theft case, Green asked to speak with him again. — Yana Johnson, NBC news, 6 Sep. 2026

Research on the Fragile Families data found that 51% of African-American fathers in the study had been incarcerated by the time their child was five, and children whose fathers had been incarcerated showed significantly more behavioral problems. — Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!