Synonyms of incarceration

incarceration

noun

(ˌ)in-ˌkär-sə-ˈrā-shən 

1

as in captivity

the act of confining or the state of being confined

he was bored and frustrated by his incarceration in the quarantine

Synonyms & Similar Words

• captivity
• internment
• imprisonment
• prison
• confinement
• impoundment
• servitude
• enslavement
• immurement
• bondage
• custody
• arrest
• restriction
• capture
• detention
• restraint
• entrapment
• house arrest
• detainer
• detainment

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• release
• liberation
• redemption
• emancipation
• freedom
• liberty
• manumission
• independence

2

as in imprisonment

the state of being held in lawful custody

sentenced to six months of incarceration for dealing in narcotics

Synonyms & Similar Words

• imprisonment
• detention
• captivity
• confinement
• internment
• detainer
• detainment
• arrest
• immurement
• hold
• seizure
• collar
• capture
• apprehension
• restraint
• entrapment
• arrestment
• pinch
• bust
• enchainment

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discharge
• release
• freedom
• liberation
• emancipation

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of incarceration

Many states have much larger average youth incarceration costs. — Terdawn Deboe, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Pitera was a mob enforcer for the Bonanno crime family and was suspected of 60 murders prior to his 1992 incarceration. — Shelby Stivale, Entertainment Weekly, 23 July 2026

Elevated risk of death after incarceration For decades, federal Medicaid dollars were prohibited from paying for most health care provided to people while they were incarcerated. — Julie Wernau, NPR, 22 July 2026

Amendment, the abolition of slavery, and argued that loopholes led to today’s mass incarceration of Black Americans. — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 21 July 2026