imprison

[ im-priz-uhn ]

/ ɪmˈprɪz ən /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR imprison ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to confine in or as if in a prison.

Nearby words

imprimatur, imprimis, imprint, imprinter, imprinting, imprison, imprisonment, improbability, improbable, improbity, imprompt

Origin of imprison

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

SYNONYMS FOR imprison

incarcerate, jail, restrain.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR imprison ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

im·pris·on·a·ble, adjectiveim·pris·on·er, nounim·pris·on·ment, nounre·im·pris·on, verb (used with object)

re·im·pris·on·ment, nounun·im·pris·on·a·ble, adjectiveun·im·pris·oned, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for imprison

Elsewhere, she tells her inamorata, “It does not matter if you elude my arms/my dear, when thought alone can imprison you.”
Sor Juana: Mexico’s Most Erotic Poet and Its Most Dangerous Nun|Katie Baker|November 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Why did it take so long to imprison the men responsible for this terrible crime?
40 years for Justice: Did the FBI Cover for the Birmingham Bombers?|Gary May|September 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It was ‘us vs. them,’ and ‘we need to kill or imprison them all.’
‘Shadow Dancer’ Explores Post-Thatcher’s London During the Troubles|Marlow Stern|May 31, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But the villagers, headed by the chief Manyenga, takes his money and imprison him.
This Week’s Hot Reads: May 14, 2012|Jimmy So|May 14, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Every world citizen, he said, “deserves the right to defend themselves from those who exploit, imprison, or kill them.”
Newt Gingrich Calls for Universal Right to Bear Arms at NRA Forum|Michael Ames|April 13, 2012|DAILY BEAST
No paint nor painter could imprison that untamed bit of Satanic mischief on any canvas that ever grew!
Miss Billy's Decision|Eleanor H. Porter
Urraca was so imprudent in her manner of life that the Battler saw fit to imprison her in a castle.
A History of Spain|Charles E. Chapman
Many have their Talents imprison'd, by being of the hated and sinking Side.
'Of Genius', in The Occasional Paper, and Preface to The Creation|Aaron Hill
Again, how could they fine and imprison their own flesh and blood?
For Faith and Freedom|Walter Besant
Normals could kill or imprison him, while a Controller would have a hard time doing either, directly.
The Penal Cluster|Ivar Jorgensen (AKA Randall Garrett)

British Dictionary definitions for imprison

imprison

/ (ɪmˈprɪzən) /

verb

(tr) to confine in or as if in prison

Derived Formsimprisoner, nounimprisonment, noun

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

Word Origin and History for imprison

imprison

c.1300, from Old French emprisoner (12c.), from em- "in" (see in- (2)) + prison (see prison). Related: Imprisoned; imprisoning.

imprison

verb (used with object)

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Nearby words

Origin of imprison

Examples from the Web for imprison

British Dictionary definitions for imprison

imprison

verb

Word Origin and History for imprison

imprison