Synonyms

false imprisonment

American

noun

Law.

the unlawful restraint of a person from exercising the right to freedom of movement.

false imprisonment British

noun

law the restraint of a person's liberty without lawful authority

"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

Etymology

Origin of false imprisonment

First recorded in 1760–70

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.

Zubaydah alleged that London was "vicariously liable" for multiple wrongs against him, including conspiracy to injure, false imprisonment and negligence.

From Barron's • Jan. 12, 2026

While the investigation continued, Townsend sued the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in October 2018, alleging false imprisonment, defamation, racial discrimination and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 5, 2025

Linehan has since said he does not regret any of his posts - adding he would be suing the police "for wrongful arrest and false imprisonment".

From BBC • Sep. 10, 2025

The filing, which alleges false imprisonment and malicious prosecution, is required as part of the process to sue the government under the Federal Tort Claims Act.

From Salon • Jul. 10, 2025

The law punishes false imprisonment as a crime; the person unlawfully imprisoned also has a civil action for damages.

From Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman by Bolles, Albert Sidney

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