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
The judge also said that attempted criminal homicide carries a possible sentence of 15 to 60 years in a Tennessee state penitentiary, the outlets reported.
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Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
In the early 1970s, the penitentiary remained poorly funded, and prison officials hoped to make money on the rodeo.
—
Arkansas Online,
9 May 2026
Local flavor The Idaho Botanical Garden is located next to the penitentiary and boasts more than 30 acres of gardens.
—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2026
The government opened the federal penitentiary on Alcatraz in 1934, hoping to use the remote island to house particularly difficult prisoners, according to the National Park Service.
—
Justine McDaniel,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for penitentiary
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
In the early 1970s, the penitentiary remained poorly funded, and prison officials hoped to make money on the rodeo.
—
Arkansas Online,
9 May 2026
Local flavor The Idaho Botanical Garden is located next to the penitentiary and boasts more than 30 acres of gardens.
—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2026
The government opened the federal penitentiary on Alcatraz in 1934, hoping to use the remote island to house particularly difficult prisoners, according to the National Park Service.
—
Justine McDaniel,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for penitentiary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penitentiary
Noun
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Given the cameras in the courtroom, his defense argued – much like lawyers have in Tyler Robinson’s case in the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk – that his appearance in shackles and a prison outfit could influence potential jurors.
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Later, Simpson served nine years in prison after being convicted on unrelated charges.
Noun
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Concern arose that Orange was going to be taken out of the jail and lynched.
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Vanity Fair reported that he was sentenced to 60 days in jail after being convicted of misdemeanor battery against a girlfriend, and was later charged with battering his third wife, Joanna Ferrell.
Cite this Entry
“Penitentiary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penitentiary. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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