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

Twenty years after enactment, the DOJ said in a 2020 report, some institutions continue to impose substantial burdens on incarcerated people who are following the tenets of their religion. — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 23 June 2026

This ruling will further erode critical civil rights protections of the far too many incarcerated people in this country. — Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2026

Verb

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