imprison

[im-priz-uhn]

verb (used with object)

1. to confine in or as if in a prison.

   Synonyms: restrain, jail, incarcerate

imprison

/ ɪmˈprɪzən /

verb

1. (tr) to confine in or as if in prison

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of imprison¹

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

Example Sentences

For his part, the premier has pledged to work with all mainstream political movements and vowed to select cabinet members who are "not imprisoned by parties".

Read more on Barron's

Joshua Hayes, 34, was among 12 members imprisoned after police found three guns wrapped in a tea-towel inside a gap between two walls in a Merseyside flat.

Read more on BBC

In order to create a longer-lasting government, Lecornu pledged Saturday to work with all the mainstream political movements and that he would select cabinet members who are not "imprisoned by the parties."

Read more on Barron's

"Instead, they send him halfway across the world to a country he's never been to, where he has no ties, imprison him with no charges and don't tell his family anything," she said.

Read more on Barron's

Professional cyclists can be tetchy creatures, imprisoned by routine.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• apprehend 
• commit 
• detain 
• hold 
• incarcerate 
• jail 
• lock up 
• remand