Meaning & use

imprison

verb·Academic

To confine someone in a prison, or to restrict them as if held captive.

See it in a sentence

The corrupt official was imprisoned soon after the trial concluded.

Guilt seemed to imprison her thoughts, keeping her awake every night.

A note on using this word

Imprison can be used literally for legal confinement or figuratively for being trapped by circumstances or emotions.

Words with a similar meaning

incarceratejail

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

Make it your own

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