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Showing results for jail. Search instead for jal.
Definitions

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.

Thoreau spent a night in jail for refusing to pay a poll tax, objecting to slavery and the Mexican War.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

Eventually, that reality caught up to county prosecutors, who released Gonzalez after she spent two days in jail.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

County Sheriff Robert Luna has asked the National Institute of Corrections to step in and conduct a review of jail conditions after 10 inmate deaths in less than three months.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Daedone, who wore tan jail garb and leg shackles, looked serene throughout the proceeding.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

He continued ranting about Mama going to jail and ignorant children and respect for elders.

From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.