imprison

verb

im-ˈpri-zᵊn How to pronounce imprison (audio)
Definition of imprisonnext
as in to jail
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

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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 imprison The pity of the judge who imprisoned them here was cold comfort for a group of people who had little reason to trust any legal authority. — Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026 Blacks in the South were routinely imprisoned on petty or trumped-up charges, then leased out to landowners, mining companies, railroads and factories as unpaid labor. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026 Williams has been imprisoned since 2003 for the attacks on Congregation B’nai Israel, Congregation Beth Shalom in Carmichael and the Kenesset Israel Torah Center in Arden Arcade. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026 Jair Bolsonaro is imprisoned in connection with this case, while his son has pledged to grant him amnesty as his first act in office. — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for imprison
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imprison
  1. jail
  2. incarcerate
Verb
  • Taylor, who reportedly bought his aristocratic title on the internet, was jailed for three years for selling a fake painting by the British artist Lowry through auction house Bonhams.
    — Howard Walker, Robb Report, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Other Americans, including some with serious illnesses, remain jailed in Russia.
    — Dasha Litvinova, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of jail
Verb
  • The group also runs STABLE, a program that helps formerly incarcerated Black women with housing, leadership and financial stability.
    — Daniel Wilkerson, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The documentary chronicles the 34 days ahead of Holmes’ 11-year prison sentence, and then Fielder introduces the Seyfried twist halfway through the film after Holmes is incarcerated.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of incarcerate

Browse Nearby Words

imprints
imprison
imprisoned
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Cite this Entry

“Imprison.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imprison. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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