Synonyms of jail

jail 1 of 2

noun

ˈjāl 

as in prison

a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody

sentenced to three years in jail for his crime

Synonyms & Similar Words

• prison
• penitentiary
• brig
• jailhouse
• slammer
• lockup
• stockade
• hoosegow
• bridewell
• calaboose
• pen
• coop
• bastille
• guardroom
• cage
• big house
• cooler
• clink
• hock
• pokey
• jug
• tolbooth
• dungeon
• cell
• stir
• joint
• tank
• can
• quod
• slam
• nick
• hold
• ward
• bull pen
• guardhouse
• hole
• gulag
• prison camp
• labor camp
• reformatory
• concentration camp
• stalag
• block
• work camp
• keep
• glasshouse
• oubliette
• reform school
• hulk(s)
• training school

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• outside

jail

2 of 2

verb

as in to imprison

to put in or as if in prison

threatened to jail the punks if they so much as jaywalked

Synonyms & Similar Words

• imprison
• incarcerate
• intern
• arrest
• confine
• detain
• commit
• lock (up)
• restrain
• catch
• immure
• shut
• gate
• jug
• capture
• limit
• apprehend
• bar
• restrict
• seize
• constrain
• keep
• impound
• bind
• hold
• bust
• impress
• pinch
• nab
• handcuff
• shackle
• pick up
• shanghai
• fetter
• manacle
• enchain
• trammel

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• free
• release
• liberate
• discharge
• emancipate
• manumit
• unchain
• enfranchise
• unbind
• unfetter
• uncage

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of jail

Noun

Due to various medical conditions, McNeal was assigned upon booking to the jail’s medical observation area, according to the sheriff’s office. — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2026

The suit alleges that the jail repeatedly fed inmates food containing mice and insects. — Liam Scott, Washington Post, 19 Oct. 2026

Verb

Americans in the nation's early days could be jailed for failing to repay debts — and some argue that debtors' prisons persist. — Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026

Davis anti-transgender activist and school board candidate Beth Bourne was briefly jailed on trespassing charges Tuesday after her arrest outside a Sonoma high school, the Sonoma newspaper reported. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026