as in captivity
the act of confining or the state of being confined
the internment of Americans of Japanese descent during World War II is one of the more shameful chapters in United States history
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Recent Examples of internment
In 1917, Woodrow Wilson used the act to curtail the activities and speech of German citizens, leading to the internment of more than 6000 Germans, though they were provided with a hearing.
—
Richard Stengel, Time, 23 May 2025
The Trump administration justified the deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, a piece of legislation from 1798 that previously was used as defense for Japanese internment camps during World War II.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
The story is based on Tokuda-Hall’s grandparents, who met at the library in a Japanese internment camp during World War II.
—Lillian Ali, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 May 2025
The law has been used just three times: in the War of 1812, World War I, and, infamously, in World War II to imprison Japanese-Americans in internment camps — a shameful chapter in our history.
—Juan Vargas, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for internment
Richard Stengel, Time, 23 May 2025
The Trump administration justified the deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, a piece of legislation from 1798 that previously was used as defense for Japanese internment camps during World War II.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
The story is based on Tokuda-Hall’s grandparents, who met at the library in a Japanese internment camp during World War II.
—Lillian Ali, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 May 2025
The law has been used just three times: in the War of 1812, World War I, and, infamously, in World War II to imprison Japanese-Americans in internment camps — a shameful chapter in our history.
—Juan Vargas, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for internment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for internment
Noun
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Almost immediately, some enslaved people fled their captivity and established small communities in the interior, in a region that came to be called Palmares.—
Time,
Time,
17 June 2025
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The soldiers, 21-year-old Paek and 26-year-old Ri, remain in Ukrainian captivity.—
Joanna Kakissis,
NPR,
16 June 2025
Noun
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For decades, mainstream television and film have often depicted Black families as fractured, usually due to incarceration, abandonment, or tragedy.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
15 June 2025
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But forcing people to move under the very real threat of incarceration is neither what many in our communities want nor what unhoused individuals need.—
Jamie Chang,
Mercury News,
12 June 2025
Noun
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Now He’s Accused of Killing All 3 Copeland will remain in pretrial confinement, because of the seriousness of the charges, Griffin told WAVY.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
21 June 2025
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Below, a full rundown of Kelly’s recent attempts to escape confinement.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
17 June 2025
Noun
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Austin, 39, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in January and was later sentenced to 16 years to life in prison in May, per CBS News.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
24 June 2025
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He was sentenced to 20 months in prison, and ordered to pay $1.8 million in restitution.—
Tricia Romano,
Rolling Stone,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Internment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/internment. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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