JAIL Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

jail 1 of 2

noun

ˈjāl

Definition of jail

as in prison

a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody sentenced to three years in jail for his crime

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

outside

jail

2 of 2

verb

as in to imprison

to put in or as if in prison threatened to jail the punks if they so much as jaywalked

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of jail

Noun

Under this new ordinance, selling kratom in Castle Rock could lead to a fine of up to $2,650, and up to a year in jail. — Olivia Young, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026 She and her husband have been held in a federal jail in Brooklyn. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 7 Oct. 2026

Verb

Reuters — Jeffrey Archer, the bestselling British novelist and former politician who was jailed for lying in a high-profile libel case, has died aged 86, his publisher HarperCollins said on Monday. — CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026 If elected, Flavio Bolsonaro is all but certain to free his father and senior Brazilian military officers, who are currently jailed on charges of planning a coup to remain in power following the 2022 election. — David Unsworth, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for jail

Recent Examples of Synonyms for jail

Noun

Ortega had additionally been sentenced, in September 2025, for in-prison possession and manufacture of a deadly weapon, according to the news release.

— Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Vorcaro is currently in prison, accused of multi-million financial fraud.

— Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of prison

Verb

The revolution has been crushed, tens of thousands remain imprisoned, and economic hardship has broken the backs of Egyptians.

— Abdelrahman ElGendy, Time, 6 Oct. 2026
The Other Side of the Sun is based on the experiences of its director Sabouni, who was imprisoned there, as well as four other former inmates who survived.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of imprison

Verb

He was sentenced to life in prison for first-degree murder and 25 years for conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and is currently incarcerated at Tennessee's Northwest Correctional Complex.

— Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
In some states, people who were convicted of a felony or are currently incarcerated are also restricted from voting.

— TIME Staff, Time, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of incarcerate

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jags

jail

jailbird

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“Jail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jail. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of jail

noun

verb

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