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

Other Word Forms

• imprisonable adjective
• imprisoner noun
• imprisonment noun
• reimprison verb (used with object)
• reimprisonment noun
• unimprisonable adjective
• unimprisoned 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

He said the jail sentence given to Lucy Connolly - who was imprisoned after pleading guilty to stirring up racial hatred against asylum seekers - was "living proof of what can go wrong" with free speech restrictions.

From BBC

America is rapidly transforming from a service state that provides education, health care, infrastructure and parks to its citizens into a carceral state that punishes and imprisons them.

From Salon

Her abuser in the US was prosecuted and imprisoned many years ago, but not before footage of the abuse had already been shared and sold across the world.

From BBC

ProPublica did not interview any sources in Afghanistan, a country where people are sometimes imprisoned for speaking out against the government.

From Salon

More than 20 of the brothers’ relatives formed a coalition pushing for their freedom, arguing they had spent enough time imprisoned for a pair of killings that were motivated by years of horrific abuse.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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