imprison

[ im-priz-uhn ]

verb (used with object)

1. to confine in or as if in a prison.

   Synonyms: restrain, jail, incarcerate

imprison

/ ɪmˈprɪzən /

verb

1. tr to confine in or as if in prison

Derived Forms

• imˈprisoner, noun
• imˈprisonment, noun

Other Words From

• im·pris·on·a·ble adjective
• im·pris·on·er noun
• im·pris·on·ment noun
• re·im·pris·on verb (used with object)
• re·im·pris·on·ment noun
• un·im·pris·on·a·ble adjective
• un·im·pris·oned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of imprison¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English enprisonen, from Old French enprisoner, equivalent to en- en- ¹ + prison prison + -er infinitive suffix

Example Sentences

With imprisoned Feathers possessing alarmingly honed hacking skills, however, sinister doings will soon be afoot.

From Los Angeles Times

It turned out his father had been imprisoned - he would remain in jail for approximately a year.

From BBC

“We feel imprisoned here. There are no roads, it is horrible,” she explains.

From BBC

He returned to Iran in 2016 to be with his parents, and was arrested and sentenced to 11 years imprisonment in Evin prison, where political prisoners are often imprisoned.

From BBC

In March, Trump wrote on his Truth Social account that one of his first acts as president would be to “Free the January 6 Hostages being wrongfully imprisoned!”

From BBC

Related Words

• apprehend
• commit
• detain
• hold
• incarcerate
• jail
• lock up
• remand