JAIL Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

jail 1 of 2

noun

ˈjāl

Definition of jail

as in prison

a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody sentenced to three years in jail for his crime

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

outside

jail

2 of 2

verb

as in to imprison

to put in or as if in prison threatened to jail the punks if they so much as jaywalked

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 jail

Noun

The devices have also been used in recent years by some jails. — Kathy McCormack, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026 He is being held on a $600,000 total bond for these charges, according to jail records reviewed by PEOPLE. — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

New York assemblywoman Emily Gallagher, a democratic socialist, spoke at a rally on Thursday protesting against jailing people who steal items, such as personal care products, as a result of living in poverty. — Emily Robertson, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026 After another disturbance, McClatchy was jailed on charges of resisting the authority of the sheriff, but later exonerated, the Media Museum said. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for jail

Recent Examples of Synonyms for jail

Noun

In a rare judicial win in such cases, the client was handed 18 months in prison.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
During the week, Aikman continues his training through the Canine Companions prison puppy raising program at FMC Carswell in Fort Worth.

— Nelly Carreño, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of prison

Verb

Many expressed their sadness at knowing their friend would likely spend much of his life incarcerated, but declined to comment on the record.

— Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 17 Aug. 2026
According to the department, a study in Virginia found a 59% reduction in injuries to incarcerated individuals and a 45% reduction in reportable uses of force.

— Caroline Foreback, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of incarcerate

Browse Nearby Words

jags

jail

jailbird

See all Nearby Words

Articles Related to jail

Cite this Entry

Style

“Jail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jail. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of jail

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Noah Webster's Spelling Wins and Fails

Is it 'jail' or 'prison'?

What's the Difference Between …

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on jail

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

rigmarole

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes