incarcerate

verb

in-ˈkär-sə-ˌrāt How to pronounce incarcerate (audio)
Definition of incarceratenext
as in to imprison
to put in or as if in prison the state incarcerated over 1900 people last year

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 incarcerate The goal is to eventually close the island to incarcerated individuals in a decarceration plan, replacing it with four other jails in Manhattan, The Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn. — Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 30 June 2026 Despite concerns about church-state separation, evidence suggests these initiatives significantly aid incarcerated individuals in finding purpose, accountability, and hope. — Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 Jones was incarcerated at Garner Correctional Institution on March 25, 2018, when officers transferred him to the mental health unit within the prison for monitoring. — Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2026 Religious vow Landor was incarcerated in Louisiana in 2020 for possessing methamphetamine, cocaine, amphetamine and marijuana. — Charles J. Russo, The Conversation, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for incarcerate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incarcerate
  1. imprison
  2. jail
Verb
  • He was imprisoned for three years in 2001 for inciting subversion of state power.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 June 2026
  • Xiaobo worked relentlessly as an advocate for democracy and reform in China, for which he was arrested and imprisoned multiple times; he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010.
    — USA Today, USA Today, 29 June 2026
Definition of imprison
Verb
  • Jail records show that Alcin, Martinez, Cobas and Putney were all denied bond and remained jailed at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
    — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
  • Also contentious was last year’s jailing of former Trade Minister Thomas Lembong over sugar import permits a decade ago despite no evidence of personal financial gain.
    — Chandra Asmara, Fortune, 30 June 2026
Definition of jail

Browse Nearby Words

incapacity
incarcerate
incarcerated
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Cite this Entry

“Incarcerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incarcerate. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on incarcerate

Nglish: Translation of incarcerate for Spanish Speakers

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