jailbird

noun

ˈjāl-ˌbərd How to pronounce jailbird (audio)
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 At no point has the jailbird shown contrition for her crimes. — Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 1 Dec. 2025 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 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 See All Example Sentences for jailbird
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jailbird
  1. prisoner
  2. inmate
  3. convict
  4. con
Noun
  • Alicent and Helaena will be held prisoner until Aemond is found and killed.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 July 2026
  • The river has risen again and again, and in 1993, the Mississippi did not go over the levee, at first, but under it, burrowing a tunnel like a prisoner seeking freedom.
    — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Definition of prisoner
Noun
  • Bordley is being held in the Jackson County Detention Center on a $150,000 bond, according to the jail’s inmate listing.
    — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026
  • An inmate who walked away from a Nevada County work camp on Independence Day was captured in Tijuana by Mexican authorities, said state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation officials on Monday.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of inmate
Noun
  • The teaser also offers glimpses of Vincent Lindon as Jean Valjean, the ex-convict who rebuilds his life as a benevolent industrialist, and Tahar Rahim as Inspector Javert, Valjean’s relentless nemesis.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 2 July 2026
  • Written by Evan Cooper, Blood On The Promontory finds five convicts trying to escape through the mountains following a violent train robbery, while shackled together by foot.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 25 June 2026
Definition of convict
Noun
  • What are the cons of investing in gold?
    — Liz Knueven, CNBC, 26 June 2026
  • Read this for details of how to download and read on for the pros and cons of installing the new software now.
    — David Phelan, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Definition of con

Browse Nearby Words

jail
jailbird
jailbirds
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Cite this Entry

“Jailbird.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jailbird. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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