captors

Those who seize

Captors are people who hold others prisoner or in confinement.

The word implies an ongoing relationship of control—someone who has captured and continues to detain: The hostages described their captors as nervous but not cruel.

A captor may be a kidnapper, a prison guard, or an enemy combatant holding prisoners of war.

imprisonment

jailers

Those who guard prisoners

wardensSupervisory officials of institutions
guardsProtectors or watchmen
kidnappersPeople who seize others

abductors · hostage-takers · prison · detention · incarceration · confinement · custody · cells · inmates · prisoners

power

dominance

Superior influence over others

controlAuthority to direct
authorityPower to enforce obedience
subjugationForcing into submission

domination · supremacy · command · tyranny · oppression · exploitation · manipulation · despotism · overlords · masters

threat

intimidation

Deliberate fear-inducing pressure

coercionPressured compliance through threats
menaceSource of potential harm
terrorExtreme, overwhelming fear

fear · hostility · aggression · torture · cruelty · brutality · violence · abuse · interrogation · demands

captors

jailers

dominance

intimidation

captors

Opposites

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