imprisoning
Putting behind bars
Imprisoning is putting or keeping someone in prison, or more broadly, confining them against their will.
The word extends to any severe restriction of freedom or movement: The blizzard left us imprisoned in our cabin for three days.
Figuratively, one can be imprisoned by fear, debt, or circumstance.
One held by force
- detaineePerson held in custody
- hostageCaptive held as security
- chainsLinked metal restraints
- shacklesMetal bonds for prisoners
manacles · cage · cell · dungeon · bondage · fettered · confinement · holding
Detention facility
- penitentiaryFacility for convicted criminals
- correctionalAimed at rehabilitation
- lockupTemporary detention facility
- cellblockPrison housing unit
inmate · warden · jailer · guard · sentence · custody · remand · detention
Seize by law
- convictJailed offender after trial
- prosecuteBring criminal charges
- indictmentFormal charge from jury
- verdictOfficial court decision
sentencing · trial · conviction · custody · bailiff · handcuffs · booking · arraignment
Unable to escape
- confinedKept within bounds
- restrictedLimited in scope
- constrainedForced into narrow limits
- stifledForcibly held in
suffocating · oppressed · enslaving · limiting · binding · restraining · controlling · suppressing
captive
One held by force
shackles · manacles · cage · cell · dungeon · bondage · fettered · confinement · holding · trapped
jail
Detention facility
- penitentiaryFacility for convicted criminals
- correctionalAimed at rehabilitation
- lockupTemporary detention facility
cellblock · inmate · warden · jailer · guard · sentence · custody · remand · detention · internment
arrest
Seize by law
- convictJailed offender after trial
- prosecuteBring criminal charges
- indictmentFormal charge from jury
verdict · sentencing · trial · conviction · custody · bailiff · handcuffs · booking · arraignment · charges
trapped
Unable to escape
- confinedKept within bounds
- restrictedLimited in scope
- constrainedForced into narrow limits
stifled · suffocating · oppressed · enslaving · limiting · binding · restraining · controlling · suppressing · enclosing
- containingcontaining, enclosing, encasing, wrapping, enveloping
imprisoningfreeing
Releasing from confinement
releasing · liberating · discharging · letting go · emancipating
imprisoningliberating
Setting free from constraint
emancipating · freeing · unshackling · releasing · enfranchising
prison, prisoner, imprison, imprisoned, imprisonment, incarceration, imprisons, imprisoner