imprison

verb

im·​pris·​on im-ˈpri-zᵊn How to pronounce imprison (audio)
imprisoned; imprisoning; imprisons
Synonyms of imprisonnext

transitive verb

: to put in or as if in prison : confine
imprisonment
im-ˈpri-zᵊn-mənt How to pronounce imprison (audio)
noun

Synonyms of imprison

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Examples of imprison in a Sentence

He was imprisoned for murder. He has threatened to imprison his political opponents.
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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.
Since then, the government has imprisoned adversaries, religious leaders, journalists and others, forcing thousands to flee the country. — ABC News, 10 July 2026 Pizzuto, 70, has been imprisoned for more than 40 years for the shooting deaths of two people during a 1985 robbery. — Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 10 July 2026 That night, Nicholas II, his wife, Alexandra, and their five children were ushered into the cellar of the house where they were imprisoned, along with four of their loyal servants. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 July 2026 Jackson said that made his relationship to his country more complicated, especially after he was convicted on drug and weapons charges as a 21-year-old and imprisoned for over a year. — Susan Bence, NPR, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for imprison

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French emprisoner, from en- + prison prison

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Rhymes for imprison

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Browse Nearby Words

imprinting
imprison
imprisonable
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Cite this Entry

“Imprison.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imprison. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

imprison

verb
im·​pris·​on im-ˈpriz-ᵊn How to pronounce imprison (audio)
imprisoned; imprisoning
-ˈpriz-(ə-)niŋ
: to put in or as if in prison
imprisonment
-ˈpriz-ən-mənt How to pronounce imprison (audio)
noun

Legal Definition

imprison

transitive verb
im·​pris·​on
: to confine in prison especially as punishment for a crime compare false imprisonment
imprisonment noun

More from Merriam-Webster on imprison

Nglish: Translation of imprison for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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