false imprisonment

noun

: imprisonment of a person contrary to law

Examples of false imprisonment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Three of the women feared reporting Mr. Robinson to the authorities because of their immigration status, according to the lawsuit, which also accuses the Robinsons of false imprisonment, creating a hostile work environment and failure to pay minimum wage. Orlando Mayorquín, New York Times, 7 May 2025 Katz was charged with battery, false imprisonment and resisting arrest, according to the city attorney’s office. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025 Multiple felony charges, including murder, first-degree residential burglary and false imprisonment by violence, were filed against Manuel Vasquez the day after his extradition, court records show. Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 23 Apr. 2025 Nine of the workers are facing multiple charges including conspiracy, simple assault, unlawful restraint, false imprisonment, endangering the welfare of a child and failure to report endangering the welfare of a child, officials said. Kate Linderman, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for false imprisonment

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of false imprisonment was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“False imprisonment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/false%20imprisonment. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

Legal Definition

false imprisonment

noun
: the tort of intentionally restraining another by physical force or the threat of physical force without privilege or authority see also false arrest at arrest

More from Merriam-Webster on false imprisonment

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