behind bars

phrase

Definition of behind barsnext
as in imprisoned
taken and held prisoner The con artist was behind bars for printing fake checks.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 behind bars What is clear is that bringing Medicaid behind bars takes a lot of work. — Julie Wernau, NPR, 22 July 2026 As part of that deal, prosecutors are recommending Insua serve a year behind bars, plus six months of home detention, the outlets reported, citing court documents. — Bethany Brown, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026 More than a decade after a Texas woman was found stabbed roughly 100 times in her apartment, a real estate agent is behind bars without bond, facing capital murder charges. — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026 At least 46 people are behind bars in Nicaragua for political reasons, according to the Mechanism for Recognition of Political Prisoners group, which tracks the cases. — Anna-Catherine Brigida, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for behind bars

Browse Nearby Words

behind
behind bars
behindhand
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Cite this Entry

“Behind bars.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/behind%20bars. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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