as in prison
a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody
a sentence in the state penitentiary for robbery
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Recent Examples of penitentiary
It is described on the Bureau of Prisons website as a high-security penitentiary.
—
Annette McGivney, Outside, 9 Dec. 2025
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
As convicts were sent to the new Cummins and Tucker prison farms, the penitentiary mostly served as a receiving depot where convicts were initially processed.
—Arkansas Online, 22 Nov. 2025
Meanwhile, his crooked sidekick, Robertson, BOP # 21731-509, is locked up in another good-time penitentiary in Beckley, WV.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penitentiary
Annette McGivney, Outside, 9 Dec. 2025
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
As convicts were sent to the new Cummins and Tucker prison farms, the penitentiary mostly served as a receiving depot where convicts were initially processed.
—Arkansas Online, 22 Nov. 2025
Meanwhile, his crooked sidekick, Robertson, BOP # 21731-509, is locked up in another good-time penitentiary in Beckley, WV.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penitentiary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penitentiary
Noun
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The Department of Justice said Steven Anthony Cowles, 45, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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The two counts of second-degree assault could carry up to seven years in prison each, if convicted.—
PJ Green
January 7,
Kansas City Star,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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According to online jail records, his bail was set at $250,000.—
Rose Evans,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Jan. 2026
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The cost of Kansas City’s temporary jail facility could jump by nearly $4 million as a city committee recommend additional funding and waiving environmental building standards to keep the project on track for completion before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Penitentiary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penitentiary. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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