as in captive
one that has been taken and held in confinement
the prisoners were fed only bread and water twice a day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 prisoner
Prosecutors alleged that Waldemar Perez, 49, received tens of thousands of dollars in bribes from prisoners, or from people paying on their behalf, while working at the Federal Correctional Institution Bastrop between May 2021 and May 2023.
—
Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 14 Jan. 2026
In the wake of Maduro’s capture — with repression continuing, prisoners still behind bars and Venezuela’s future being negotiated around oil and power — Ramírez sees the film as both testimony and warning.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
As of Tuesday morning, Foro Penal had confirmed the release of 55 prisoners.
—Regina Garcia Cano, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2026
The filmmakers build their documentary around cell phone videos secretly recorded by prisoners – footage that shows severe overcrowding, flooding of cell blocks, drugged addicted inmates, and alleged brutal attacks by those whose job should be to ensure the safety of people behind bars.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prisoner
Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 14 Jan. 2026
In the wake of Maduro’s capture — with repression continuing, prisoners still behind bars and Venezuela’s future being negotiated around oil and power — Ramírez sees the film as both testimony and warning.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
As of Tuesday morning, Foro Penal had confirmed the release of 55 prisoners.
—Regina Garcia Cano, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2026
The filmmakers build their documentary around cell phone videos secretly recorded by prisoners – footage that shows severe overcrowding, flooding of cell blocks, drugged addicted inmates, and alleged brutal attacks by those whose job should be to ensure the safety of people behind bars.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prisoner
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prisoner
Noun
-
While all colonial enslavers were anxious about the possibility of poisoning plots in general, other, more local, even personal, concerns existed, such as an enslaver’s fear that one of his captives might try to hasten his death by putting something toxic in his food.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Jan. 2026
-
The captives perch preciously on the head of a slave trader who looks straight ahead, indifferent to the others’ suffering.—
James Meyer,
Artforum,
1 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Together, Halverson’s gritty voice and Forster’s full-bodied vocal capture the tensions between romance and ambition.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Washington’s rhetoric over a potential assault on the Danish territory has been given greater credence by its capture of Venezuela’s president, and European leaders are scrambling to respond.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prisoner.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prisoner. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
