jail

[jeyl] / dʒeɪl /

NOUN

place for incarceration

Synonyms

STRONGEST

cell lockup penitentiary prison

STRONG

bastille brig bullpen can clink cooler dungeon inside jailhouse joint pen pound rack reformatory slammer solitary stir stockade

WEAK

black hole detention camp house of correction penal institution up the river

VERB

incarcerate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

confine detain hold imprison lock up sentence take away

STRONG

bastille book cage can constrain immure impound prison railroad

WEAK

put away put behind bars put on ice send up throw away the keys throw in dungeon throw the book at

Antonyms

STRONGEST

free let go liberate release

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Failure to pay can result in a jail term - but even that doesn't cancel out the debt.

From BBC • May 26, 2026

Tina Peters deserved to go to jail but not for nine years, a panel of judges decreed, ordering her resentencing.

From Los Angeles Times • May 24, 2026

The Chinese businessman was sentenced to 46 months in jail and released in 2017 with time served.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 24, 2026

The hospital’s receipt of a grand jury subpoena suggests that the DOJ has launched a criminal investigation into providers, which introduces the possibility of future jail time, prosecution and even charges.

From Salon • May 22, 2026

It later emerged that Davis had been in jail the night of the break-in.

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin

jail

Example Sentences

Related Words