prisoner

noun

ˈpriz-nər How to pronounce prisoner (audio)
Definition of prisonernext
as in captive
one that has been taken and held in confinement the prisoners were fed only bread and water twice a day

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 prisoner Last January, Badelle received an additional sentence of two years and eight months for manufacturing a deadly weapon by a prisoner, the CDCR said. — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026 Meanwhile, around a dozen women from the Rostov cell had been released in a prisoner exchange. — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 12 Aug. 2026 Amid tight security, Najib stood inside a cage wearing a prisoner’s uniform as the judge read the sentence. — CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026 Under tight security, Najib stood inside a cage wearing a prisoner’s uniform as the judge read the sentence. — Ghaith Alsayed, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prisoner
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prisoner
  1. captive
  2. capture
Noun
  • Local authorities did not say how the captives were rescued from the dense, expansive forest of the Kainji Lake National Park.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Mary Ishaya, 44, told the outlet that the captives often went days without food and had to bury other captives who had died.
    — Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of captive
Noun
  • The return of fans’ favourite Barry Bannan after reluctantly joining Millwall in January is among the most notable, along with the capture of forward Louie Barry from Aston Villa on a four-year deal.
    — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • More than 300 federal, state and local law enforcement officers carried out a takedown later that month, arresting 18 people while Henderson evaded capture.
    — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of capture

Browse Nearby Words

prison camps
prisoner
prisoners
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Cite this Entry

“Prisoner.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prisoner. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on prisoner

Nglish: Translation of prisoner for Spanish Speakers

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