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.

In the summer of 2019, Epstein was arrested and died in jail.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026

The former head of China's famous Shaolin Temple - known as the birthplace of kung fu - has been sentenced to 24 years in jail for crimes including embezzlement and bribery.

From BBC • May 29, 2026

Authorities also removed another 2-year-old child from the couple’s custody and scoured a field in Moreno Valley, accompanied by Jake Haro in a jail jumpsuit.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 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

I wasn’t about to hand over my own jail sentence.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan

jail

Example Sentences

Related Words