Synonyms of incarcerated

incarcerated 1 of 2

adjective

in-ˈkär-sə-ˌrā-təd 

as in imprisoned

taken and held prisoner

incarcerated residents of that state are still allowed to vote in elections

Synonyms & Similar Words

• imprisoned
• arrested
• captive
• jailed
• captured
• interned
• confined
• kidnapped
• caught
• apprehended
• enslaved
• behind bars
• trapped
• abducted
• bound
• indentured
• occupied
• subjugated
• subdued
• ensnared

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• free
• unconfined
• unrestrained
• released
• liberated
• freed
• emancipated
• delivered
• paroled
• enfranchised

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• imprisoned
• jailed
• interned
• confined
• detained
• arrested
• committed
• locked (up)
• restrained
• immured
• caught
• jugged
• captured
• apprehended
• restricted
• limited
• shut
• constrained
• seized
• barred
• gated
• bound
• impounded
• impressed
• held
• kept
• handcuffed
• shackled
• pinched
• busted
• nabbed
• fettered
• shanghaied
• manacled
• picked up
• enchained
• trammeled

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• liberated
• freed
• discharged
• released
• emancipated
• enfranchised
• manumitted
• unbound
• uncaged
• unchained
• unfettered

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of incarcerated

Adjective

Grayson filed for release under the Joe Coleman Act, which applies to incarcerated people who are terminally ill or medically incapacitated. — Ava Kelley, NBC news, 31 July 2026

Formerly incarcerated people are nearly 10 times more likely to be homeless than the general public, according to The Prison Policy Initiative. — Noelle Lilley, CBS News, 30 July 2026

Verb

Since his arrest, Mangione has been incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. — Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026

The New Jersey lockup where Agnello is incarcerated has housed some notable inmates over the years. — Philip Marcelo, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026