inmates

noun

plural of inmate
as in prisoners
a person who is kept in a prison the reintegration of former inmates into society

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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 inmates Such a bond occurs when a judge grants a compassionate release for inmates who are in failing health and no longer a threat to the community. — Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026 Nanayakkara said some 734 inmates who were involved in the violence were transferred to other prisons. — ABC News, 7 July 2026 Famous former inmates include mobster Whitey Bulger and, rather surprisingly, Henry David Thoreau. — Andrew Sessa, Robb Report, 2 July 2026 During that time, communication with family is often limited, personal property may be delayed, and inmates face the uncertainty of adapting to an entirely new institution. — Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 Turkey's prisons held more than 420,000 inmates — far exceeding their official capacity of roughly 304,000, according to a June 2026 report citing Turkish Justice Ministry figures. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inmates
prisoners
Noun
  • The agency has instructed contractors that families at the facility cannot be referred to as prisoners, detainees or inmates, records show.
    — JACK BROOK, ABC News, 6 July 2026
  • Moriarty is hiding both Sherlock and Lady Tewkesbury in a cell, and both of the prisoners are trying to figure out why she's chosen them.
    — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026
Definition of prisoners

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inmate
inmates
in-migrant
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Cite this Entry

“Inmates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inmates. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on inmates

Nglish: Translation of inmates for Spanish Speakers

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