JAIL Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

jail 1 of 2

noun

ˈjāl

Definition of jail

as in prison

a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody sentenced to three years in jail for his crime

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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

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of jail

Noun

Hatchett was being held Thursday at the Pulaski County jail with no bond set. — Rafael Escalera Montoto, Arkansas Online, 27 Aug. 2026 Depending on the verdict, Clancy will likely see one of two outcomes at the end of her trial – a jail sentence or a recommitment to a state hospital. — Melina Khan, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026

Verb

Chow, Lee and Ho were prominent figures within Hong Kong’s now-defunct democracy movement, which has seen most of its leaders either jailed, fled overseas or fallen silent. — Chris Lau, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026 Davis, 63, has pleaded not guilty to one count of murder with use of a deadly weapon and has been jailed since his arrest in September 2023. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for jail

Recent Examples of Synonyms for jail

Noun

Adan Osman Salat, 23, was sentenced to two years fixed and a possible 15 years on probation or in prison by 3rd District Judge Gabriel McCarthy, according to online court records and audio obtained by the Idaho Statesman.

— Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 27 Aug. 2026
When the brothers arrived in court two days later, the jewel tones were ditched, and each wore a drab tan prison jumpsuit.

— Jonny Hallam, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of prison

Verb

Crime, courts and policing A man falsely imprisoned for 18 years was exonerated of an Orange County robbery.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Daniels and Farinha have also both confronted their share of skeptics about the odds of turning around those who have been imprisoned as well as those heading in that direction.

— Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of imprison

Verb

People incarcerated at the Attica Correctional Facility in New York initiated an uprising by taking control of the prison, demanding better living conditions and rights.

— USA Today, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Dave Evans, a spokesperson for the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, said Sunday that Vasquez had been released from custody while Felix remained incarcerated at the Lower Buckeye Jail in Phoenix.

— CBS News, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of incarcerate

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jags

jail

jailbird

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“Jail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jail. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of jail

noun

verb

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