as in jails
a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody
the firm conviction that juvenile offenders should never be held in adult lockups
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Recent Examples of lockups
These investments are typically illiquid and long-term, with multi-year lockups and limited redemption options.
—
Fred Hubler, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Fred Hubler, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lockups
Noun
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If that debate is opened, there will be tough decisions to make in terms of what sorts of crimes qualify for cooperation with the feds from those running our state and local prisons and jails.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
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Some go out of state, and the rest go to a handful of Minnesota county jails that have agreements with the federal authorities.—
Jennifer Mayerle,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The wave of prison violence is happening despite the deployment of military and police forces in several penitentiaries.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
8 Dec. 2025
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After his conviction, Gray was sent to Angola, one of the most violent penitentiaries in the country at the time.—
Richard A. Webster,
ProPublica,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Should the handover of violent criminals who happen to be in the country without permission happen strictly in the state prisons?—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
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Closing prisons and letting criminals back on the street?—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lockups.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lockups. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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