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incarcerated 1 of 2

adjective

in-ˈkär-sə-ˌrā-təd How to pronounce incarcerated (audio)
Definition of incarceratednext
as in imprisoned
taken and held prisoner incarcerated residents of that state are still allowed to vote in elections

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

incarcerated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of incarcerate
as in jailed
to put in or as if in prison the state incarcerated over 1900 people last year

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of incarcerated
Adjective
Temporary relief from the pain of separation For many incarcerated people, separation from family and friends is one of the most painful aspects of life behind bars. — Jillian Turanovic, The Conversation, 10 Aug. 2026 Research studies have shown that children of incarcerated parents are more likely to experience mental health challenges and develop antisocial behaviors. — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026
Verb
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 See All Example Sentences for incarcerated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incarcerated
  1. imprisoned
  2. jailed
  3. captive
  4. interned
Adjective
  • Last year, the PKK — considered a terrorist organization by Turkey and its Western allies — announced its decision to disband, following a call by its imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The move came in response to a call from its imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of imprisoned
Verb
  • The Belarusian opposition has welcomed Coale's efforts as an important humanitarian mission, but emphasized that Lukashenko's government has jailed more political prisoners.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Jacobs was jailed but released the following day after the Brown County District Attorney’s Office found insufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges.
    — Zach Powell, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of jailed
Adjective
  • The fathers of classmates had vanished — farmers held captive until their family could pay ransom.
    — Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Two employees of a Korean company in Haiti who spent weeks captive after being kidnapped by an armed gang in Port-au-Prince have been safely released, according to a statement from South Korea’s Foreign Ministry shared with the Miami Herald.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of captive
Verb
  • Peyton Stewart was a 21-year-old international business major who grew up with her sister in Westwood, New Jersey, studied abroad in London and interned at TikTok.
    — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Johnson hired a young Ossoff as a staffer on the recommendation of the late Georgia Congressman John Lewis, the civil rights icon Ossoff interned for and considered a mentor.
    — Sam Gringlas, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of interned

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Cite this Entry

“Incarcerated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incarcerated. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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