Definition of jailbirdnext
as in prisoner
a person convicted as a criminal and serving a prison sentence had spent most of his sorry life as a jailbird in hoosegows across the South

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 jailbird But these jailbirds aren’t using their own fingers to fire off missives or create clones. Andrew Zucker, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026 And these seven crooked cops are just the tip of the MSP jailbird iceberg. Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 17 Jan. 2026 At no point has the jailbird shown contrition for her crimes. Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 1 Dec. 2025 Her jumpsuit is a couture twist on the cartoonish striped getup of a jailbird. Jemal Polson, CNN Money, 8 May 2025 Becomes a jailbird at a high-security zoo after he’s caught, with the newest Wallace & Gromit film, Vengeance Most Fowl, finding Feathers, all these years later, hell-bent on getting even with the duo who locked him up. Devon Ivie, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jailbird
Noun
  • Former death row prisoner Richard Glossip, left, speaks to media after exiting a detention facility after being granted bond while awaiting retrial, May 14, 2026, in Oklahoma City.
    CBS News, CBS News, 24 June 2026
  • The Supreme Court ruled that a Louisiana prisoner whose dreadlocks were forcibly shaved off by prison guards cannot sue them under a federal law designed to protect the religious rights of prisoners.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 24 June 2026
Noun
  • As part of the plea deal struck last month, Alameda County prosecutors agreed to dismiss two other cases Hurd racked up while behind bars, including assault charges stemming from the brutal beating and stabbing of another Santa Rita Jail inmate.
    Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 23 June 2026
  • This court ruling made more than 200 inmates eligible for parole hearings.
    Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • Written by Evan Cooper, Blood On The Promontory finds five convicts trying to escape through the mountains following a violent train robbery, while shackled together by foot.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 25 June 2026
  • Also, from the 19th century to the 20th century, the island served as a holding area for convicts being sent from mainland France to overseas penal colonies—a sobering thread in the sunny island’s past.
    Caitlin Gunther, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 June 2026
Noun
  • Read this for details of how to download and read on for the pros and cons of installing the new software now.
    David Phelan, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
  • The Pro will be no less weighty, but if need to travel up to 140 miles (225 km) per trip then the numerous pros will outweigh the single con.
    Paul Ridden June 23, New Atlas, 23 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Jailbird.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jailbird. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.

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