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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

In early February, he was released from jail after two months for violating a protective order his ex-wife had placed on him. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026 Re-read Lev Facher’s explainer on medetomidine from last year, and another great piece from STAT contributor Hannah Harris Green on how jails are on the front line of addressing this new, complicated type of withdrawal. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 16 Sep. 2026

Verb

He was jailed for three years, and seven others were convicted for crimes linked to the heist. — Makini Brice, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2026 They were each jailed for between 13 and 17 months, though all have since been released and deported. — Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for jail

Recent Examples of Synonyms for jail

Noun

This allegation makes Nick eligible for life in prison without parole or the death penalty if convicted.

— Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2026
The government is asking him to serve 18 months in prison, and had an initial sentencing date of May 26.

— Sam Blum, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of prison

Verb

After crash landing on the dark world directly onto the homing beacon, EO and his crazy crew are apprehended by a gang of warrior henchmen and hauled into the throne room to face the wicked alien ruler who is imprisoned in anger and hate.

— Jeff Spry, Space.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Many leading activists were imprisoned under the security law, and dozens of civil society groups dissolved, including the alliance.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2026

Definition of imprison

Noun

Still, even on video, Davis doesn’t appear wracked with guilt or anguish about the possibility of spending the rest of his life in the Nevada penitentiary system.

— Jeff Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026
Beginning in 1908, after federal prisons opened in Atlanta, Georgia, and Leavenworth, Kansas, most federal prisoners were sent to these new federal prisons, and cells began to empty at the West Virginia state penitentiary.

— Ella Siegrist, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of penitentiary

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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 19 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of jail

noun

verb

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