Synonyms

imprison

American

[im-priz-uhn] / ɪmˈprɪz ən /

verb (used with object)

to confine in or as if in a prison.

Synonyms:

restrain, jail, incarcerate

imprison British

/ ɪmˈprɪzən /

verb

(tr) to confine in or as if in prison

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

imprisonable adjective
imprisoner noun
imprisonment noun
reimprison verb (used with object)
reimprisonment noun
unimprisonable adjective
unimprisoned adjective

Etymology

Origin of imprison

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English enprisonen, from Old French enprisoner, equivalent to en- en- ¹ + prison prison + -er infinitive suffix

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

For her, too, the struggle was personal—her mother is a well-known activist who spent many years imprisoned.

From The Wall Street Journal

A mother interviewed by AFP near El Helicoide was overjoyed that her son, imprisoned inside, may soon be released under the law.

From Barron's

Even the Committee to Protect Journalists, an organization that monitors and honors reporters imprisoned by authoritarian government regimes overseas, felt compelled to weigh in on Lemon’s arrest.

From Los Angeles Times

They have criticised the "selective lifting of sanctions", saying they would "take no comfort" in China's decision while Lai remains imprisoned and Uyghurs continue to suffer.

From BBC

Of its 21 crew members, 18 were released after nine months, but three remain imprisoned, he said.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023