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.

She pleaded not guilty and was being held in a regional jail while awaiting trial.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026

Reform UK's treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick also previously condemned the sentence, telling the BBC: "It can never be right that a young person kills someone or rapes someone and they do not go to jail."

From BBC • May 30, 2026

For 34 years, only licensed doctors were allowed to ink tattoos in Korea and breaking the law could lead to heavy fines or jail.

From BBC • May 29, 2026

On the chat, Talley claimed he was exercising “oversight” in repeatedly checking with officials at the jail and the U.S.

From Slate • May 28, 2026

From her jail room window, Roz watched as the ocean trembled with each blast.

From "The Wild Robot Protects" by Peter Brown

jail

Example Sentences

Related Words