as in arrested
taken and held prisoner
took up the cause of imprisoned political dissidents
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in jailed
to put in or as if in prison
in this society, we try to imprison criminals so that they can't do any more harm
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 imprisoned
Dan Slepian, NBC News, 30 Dec. 2024
Iranians seized our embassy in Teheran and imprisoned diplomats for over a year.
—Arthur House, Hartford Courant, 30 Dec. 2024
Others were arbitrarily arrested, imprisoned and tortured without legal justification.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 27 Dec. 2024
In exchange for their release, a number of Palestinians imprisoned in Israel would be freed, according to the outlines of the deal.
—Natasha Frost, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
The regime has shot and killed demonstrators and imprisoned more than 2,000 people, including the mayor of the second-largest city, Maracaibo; several regional opposition leaders; and more than 100 children.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 22 Dec. 2024
Government forces, meanwhile, are expected to pursue their corruption case against Lee until he’s at least disqualified from running in the next election, if not imprisoned.
—Victor Cha, The Atlantic, 20 Dec. 2024
The South African politician and freedom fighter, who died in 2013, was imprisoned for 27 years during the apartheid era and the campaign for his release was one of the biggest in history.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 19 Dec. 2024
Her father abused drugs, was imprisoned for shoplifting and later died at age 38 after some pancreatic ulcers ruptured, Scanlon says.
—Hilary Shenfeld, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
He was imprisoned for nearly 18 years.
—Dan Slepian, NBC News, 30 Dec. 2024
Iranians seized our embassy in Teheran and imprisoned diplomats for over a year.
—Arthur House, Hartford Courant, 30 Dec. 2024
Others were arbitrarily arrested, imprisoned and tortured without legal justification.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 27 Dec. 2024
In exchange for their release, a number of Palestinians imprisoned in Israel would be freed, according to the outlines of the deal.
—Natasha Frost, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
The regime has shot and killed demonstrators and imprisoned more than 2,000 people, including the mayor of the second-largest city, Maracaibo; several regional opposition leaders; and more than 100 children.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 22 Dec. 2024
Government forces, meanwhile, are expected to pursue their corruption case against Lee until he’s at least disqualified from running in the next election, if not imprisoned.
—Victor Cha, The Atlantic, 20 Dec. 2024
The South African politician and freedom fighter, who died in 2013, was imprisoned for 27 years during the apartheid era and the campaign for his release was one of the biggest in history.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 19 Dec. 2024
Her father abused drugs, was imprisoned for shoplifting and later died at age 38 after some pancreatic ulcers ruptured, Scanlon says.
—Hilary Shenfeld, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imprisoned
Verb
-
Before the campaign season even began, Maduro’s government had jailed more than 15,000 politicians, protesters, activists, and journalists, subjecting an unknown number to torture.—
Gisela Salim-Peyer,
The Atlantic,
21 Dec. 2024
-
Branch said violations could lead her to revoke Nutley's bond, and she would be jailed until the case is resolved.—
Kevin Grasha,
The Enquirer,
20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Dozens of Israeli hostages are still being held captive by Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Six people in Ohio are accused of holding a man captive for about a week and repeatedly beating him with a metal baseball bat.—
Christine Pelisek,
People.com,
25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Back in 2012, the two starred in The Paperboy, in which Efron’s wide-eyed character falls for an older woman (Kidman) who is in love with an incarcerated murderer.—
Andrea Mandell,
Peoplemag,
27 June 2024
-
Investigators later said the driver was unaware of the scam call that Brock had received with threats and demands for money, citing an incarcerated relative.—
Mark Scolforo,
Fortune,
20 Apr. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Imprisoned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imprisoned. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share