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Synonyms

false imprisonment

American  

noun

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


false imprisonment British  

noun

  1. 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.

See Examples For:

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

A judge in Santa Barbara County Superior Court has dismissed a felony false imprisonment charge against Ashlee Buzzard, the county district attorney said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 21, 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

But to return to the matter of false imprisonment, I will state the case to my lawyer, and see what there is in it.

From The Boy Broker Or, Among the Kings of Wall Street by Frank Andrew Munsey

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