prisoner

Definition of prisonernext
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 Today’s announcement that 51 prisoners will be released brings hope to many families. - Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2026 The Cuban Foreign Ministry also announced in a press release Thursday night that 51 prisoners will be released in the coming days in the spirit of goodwill and cited Cuba’s close relationship with the Vatican. Orlando Matos, NBC news, 13 Mar. 2026 In New York, guards who brutalized prisoners or covered it up were rarely fired. Katie Moore, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2026 The bill’s author, Phil Ting, said at the time the bill was a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which sickened tens of thousands of prisoners and killed over 200. Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prisoner
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prisoner
Noun
  • Immediately upon regaining control of the lowlands of São Tomé, the Portuguese dedicated scarce manpower and equipment to the resumption of sugar cultivation, the repair of the mills, and the terrorizing of new shipments of captives.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Assets were frozen, sanctions were threatened, UN resolutions were passed, but still the captives remained imprisoned.
    Bill Keane, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • During a demonstration in Hangzhou, the robot closely mirrored an operator’s movements—waving, turning, and even kicking a ball—within milliseconds using a motion-capture suit.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Air traffic control audio captures the moments leading up to the collision, which began with another flight reporting an emergency on the other side of the airport.
    Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prisoner.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prisoner. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on prisoner

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster