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
  • Nearly 235 years later, thousands of people have died while in government custody, at prisons and jails, in what advocates — and courts — have said are direct violations of prisoners' constitutional rights.
    Davi Merchan, NPR, 4 Mar. 2026
  • Kim, an honors student who served more than a decade behind bars for Tay’s killing as a model prisoner before his parole, has spent seven years working to overturn his murder conviction.
    Sean Emery, Oc Register, 4 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • For inmates already on a hormone-replacement regimen, BOP will consider placing them on a taper plan that gradually reduces their dosage at a safe withdrawal pace.
    Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 3 Mar. 2026
  • The city already has agreements for housing inmates with Sandy Springs, Roswell, Acworth, and Marietta.
    Dan Raby, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The story follows Jean Valjean, an embittered convict who stole bread to feed his sister’s starving family.
    Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Astronaut John Crichton falls into a wormhole and emerges in a remote galaxy where he's rescued by a sentient spaceship named Moya and its colorful convict crew.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 14 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Compression packing cubes cons Quality compression packing cubes cost more than standard compression cubes.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
  • What else is going on An ATM con targeting elderly bank customers is being carried out across Southern California, police say.
    James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Jailbird.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jailbird. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.

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