as in captives
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 prisoners
There were also prisoners, paupers and unclaimed bodies who went into mass graves, including remains of 39,307 Catholics at Holy Cross.
—
Chris Kenning, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025
Some of the prisoners shot and killed two guards with an automatic pistol.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 2025
Netanyahu was able to get the first phase of the deal through, including the return of the hostages in Gaza in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
—Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
As part of the accord, a cease-fire was enacted in Gaza and Israeli hostages were returned in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2025
Hamas agreed to return the remaining living hostages and bodies of deceased hostages, while Israel agreed to release nearly 2,000 prisoners.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
As part of the ceasefire, Hamas released the remaining 20 living hostages held in Gaza, while Israel released nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2025
For seven months, Panahi had been getting to know his fellow prisoners, talking and listening to their stories.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 18 Oct. 2025
Trump’s victory lap came as hostages held in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners in Israel returned home.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Chris Kenning, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025
Some of the prisoners shot and killed two guards with an automatic pistol.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 2025
Netanyahu was able to get the first phase of the deal through, including the return of the hostages in Gaza in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
—Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
As part of the accord, a cease-fire was enacted in Gaza and Israeli hostages were returned in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2025
Hamas agreed to return the remaining living hostages and bodies of deceased hostages, while Israel agreed to release nearly 2,000 prisoners.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
As part of the ceasefire, Hamas released the remaining 20 living hostages held in Gaza, while Israel released nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2025
For seven months, Panahi had been getting to know his fellow prisoners, talking and listening to their stories.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 18 Oct. 2025
Trump’s victory lap came as hostages held in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners in Israel returned home.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prisoners
captives
Noun
-
Hamas committed to returning all living and deceased captives being held in the strip as part of the ceasefire deal reached earlier this month.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
27 Oct. 2025
-
After two years of relentless violence, a fragile and uncertain ceasefire has settled over Gaza, bringing joyous scenes of Israeli captives reuniting with their families and of Palestinian prisoners returning home after years of detention.—
Lydia Polgreen,
Mercury News,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prisoners.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prisoners. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share