1
as in captivity
the act of confining or the state of being confined
he was bored and frustrated by his incarceration in the quarantine
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in imprisonment
the state of being held in lawful custody
sentenced to six months of incarceration for dealing in narcotics
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of incarceration
Brazil, which has one of the highest per-capita incarceration rates in Latin America, stands out for having one of the most formalized and nationwide systems for sentence remission via reading in the world.
—
ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026
On average, detention facilities daily now hold nearly 70,000 immigrants, a scale of mass detention not seen since the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans and nationals during World War II.
—Eric Westervelt, NPR, 23 Mar. 2026
Their most notable work, however, might be their partnership with The Doe Fund, a non-profit that has provided housing and employment and support services to over 15,000 people who have experienced homelessness or incarceration.
—Essence, 22 Mar. 2026
Many of the deposits preceded Epstein’s incarceration at MCC.
—Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incarceration
ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026
On average, detention facilities daily now hold nearly 70,000 immigrants, a scale of mass detention not seen since the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans and nationals during World War II.
—Eric Westervelt, NPR, 23 Mar. 2026
Their most notable work, however, might be their partnership with The Doe Fund, a non-profit that has provided housing and employment and support services to over 15,000 people who have experienced homelessness or incarceration.
—Essence, 22 Mar. 2026
Many of the deposits preceded Epstein’s incarceration at MCC.
—Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incarceration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incarceration
Noun
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During his captivity, Salomon, who was multilingual, served as a translator between British and Hessian forces — convincing some of them to desert or turn to the American side.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
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On Shabbat, the Acheinu, a prayer for liberating those held in captivity, was recited from the bimah, an elevated platform where sermons are often delivered.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Her imprisonment became a cause celebre for many on the Right, and hopes were high for her appeal, but on Thursday, the Colorado Court of Appeals affirmed her conviction.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Apr. 2026
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Most importantly, the legislation intensified punishments for those with prior convictions, with the worst offenders looking at a first-degree felony with up to 30 years imprisonment.—
Sean M. Cleary,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Others flagged for removal included exhibits on slavery and civil rights, LGBTQ history, WWII-era internment camps, and Indigenous histories.—
Owen Clarke,
Outside,
19 Mar. 2026
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His family moved to Reno, Nevada, to avoid the Japanese internment during World War II.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But detainees inside the Adelanto facility who called the Immigrant Defenders rapid response hotline alleged that medical staff didn’t respond until after Ramos was unresponsive and that Ramos died inside the immigration detention facility, said an Immigrant Defenders spokesperson.—
Ryanne Mena,
Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
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The data shows another 130 detentions during a three-day December surge when then-Border Patrol Cmdr.—
Joe Mahr,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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He was beaten by security forces, arrested and sentenced to 14 years in prison.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2026
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During his 12-year pontificate, Francis famously celebrated the Holy Thursday ritual by traveling to Rome-area prisons and refugee centers to wash the feet of people most on society’s margins.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Investigators also cited electronic monitoring data showing Pooh Shiesty was at the studio despite being on home confinement for a prior federal firearms conviction.—
Sergio Candido,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
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Shah is now on home confinement, having been released in December 2025 after serving nearly three years in prison.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Incarceration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incarceration. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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