as in imprisoning
to put in or as if in prison
threatened to jail the punks if they so much as jaywalked
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Recent Examples of jailing
Another investigation was initiated the following year by the commission after Givens was accused of presiding over two criminal cases after she’d been recused, jailing a man in one case and revoking bond from another.
—
Jane Harper, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
When Iranians elected a reformist president, Mohammed Khatami, in 1997, Khamenei hamstrung him by jailing cabinet ministers and shuttering friendly newspapers.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 10 Mar. 2026
The lawsuit also alleged that police were jailing people, including those who were homeless, for nonviolent misdemeanors.
—Nicole Santa Cruz, ProPublica, 4 Mar. 2026
Most county-sheriff offices function much the way police departments do—investigating crimes, making arrests, and jailing people.
—James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Orange County’s negotiations with the federal government to increase its reimbursement for jailing federal inmates and immigrant detainees could now last through the end of March.
—Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2026
Beijing’s national security law has transformed Hong Kong, with authorities jailing dozens of dissidents; forcing civil society groups and outspoken media outlets to disband; and neutering the city’s once-raucous political scene.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
In 2024, the court said fining or jailing someone for sleeping outside when there are no available shelter beds doesn’t violate the Eighth Amendment’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 Feb. 2026
Maduro clamped down on dissent, jailing hundreds of activists, ordering government forces to fire on protesters and triggering another exodus of migrants.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2026
Jane Harper, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
When Iranians elected a reformist president, Mohammed Khatami, in 1997, Khamenei hamstrung him by jailing cabinet ministers and shuttering friendly newspapers.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 10 Mar. 2026
The lawsuit also alleged that police were jailing people, including those who were homeless, for nonviolent misdemeanors.
—Nicole Santa Cruz, ProPublica, 4 Mar. 2026
Most county-sheriff offices function much the way police departments do—investigating crimes, making arrests, and jailing people.
—James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Orange County’s negotiations with the federal government to increase its reimbursement for jailing federal inmates and immigrant detainees could now last through the end of March.
—Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2026
Beijing’s national security law has transformed Hong Kong, with authorities jailing dozens of dissidents; forcing civil society groups and outspoken media outlets to disband; and neutering the city’s once-raucous political scene.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
In 2024, the court said fining or jailing someone for sleeping outside when there are no available shelter beds doesn’t violate the Eighth Amendment’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 Feb. 2026
Maduro clamped down on dissent, jailing hundreds of activists, ordering government forces to fire on protesters and triggering another exodus of migrants.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jailing
Verb
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Based on the way the regime is treating you and all these other political activists—imprisoning you all—what does that indicate about the regime?—
Cora Engelbrecht,
New Yorker,
1 Mar. 2026
-
For decades, the Islamic Republic has neutered its domestic opposition, imprisoning its critics including former presidents.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In 1942, as the government was forcibly relocating and incarcerating Japanese Americans on the West Coast, a nativist group hoped to revoke the citizenship of Japanese Americans born in the United States.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
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The governor’s bill would require any state agency charged with incarcerating people to follow the standards outlined in the federal law.—
Emilia Otte,
Hartford Courant,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Arellano joined the brand after interning and working his way into a full-time role, learning production before moving into design.—
J.M. Banks
March 21,
Kansas City Star,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Cohen got an early jump on his entertainment career while interning for Steve Zaillian and Garrett Basch’s Film Rights during high school.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Jailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jailing. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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