Definition of jailbirdnext
as in prisoner
a person convicted as a criminal and serving a prison sentence had spent most of his sorry life as a jailbird in hoosegows across the South

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 jailbird But these jailbirds aren’t using their own fingers to fire off missives or create clones. Andrew Zucker, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026 And these seven crooked cops are just the tip of the MSP jailbird iceberg. Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 17 Jan. 2026 At no point has the jailbird shown contrition for her crimes. Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 1 Dec. 2025 Her jumpsuit is a couture twist on the cartoonish striped getup of a jailbird. Jemal Polson, CNN Money, 8 May 2025 Becomes a jailbird at a high-security zoo after he’s caught, with the newest Wallace & Gromit film, Vengeance Most Fowl, finding Feathers, all these years later, hell-bent on getting even with the duo who locked him up. Devon Ivie, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jailbird
Noun
  • Imagine if Jeff Bezos got bored just owning The Washington Post, firing hundreds of writers and squashing the freedom of its opinion section, and decided to join the American forces parachuting into Venezuela or Iran, only to ignore their orders and seize some prisoners on his own.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 May 2026
  • Perhaps even darker is this novel about a girl and 39 women held prisoner in a bunker.
    The Week US, TheWeek, 20 May 2026
Noun
  • According to authorities, on the day of the attack, Adrian and Roney Martinez, who were inmate trustees in Module 4C at Elmwood, approached Castillo’s desk and discussed attacking the victim inmate.
    Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
  • Two inmates punched and kicked the victim for about 30 seconds in his cell, while a third inmate stood guard.
    Tim Fang, CBS News, 19 May 2026
Noun
  • Despite the obvious danger to the convicts, Jackson underscored how popular the spectacle was.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 May 2026
  • The Wu-Tang Clan founder directed, wrote and produced the revenge thriller that follows an ex-military convict (Shameik Moore) seeking redemption in a small town.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 3 May 2026
Noun
  • Some voters' concerns were inflation, gas prices, and the pros and cons of the war in Iran.
    Joe Holden, CBS News, 19 May 2026
  • With no air-con and copious heat-soak through the rear bulkhead (the glass panel behind your head gets almost too hot to touch), driving it hard also feels like a physical workout.
    Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 18 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Jailbird.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jailbird. Accessed 23 May. 2026.

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