imprisonment
7 synonyms and 2 antonyms for imprisonment, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The state of being confined in prison, or a sentence involving such confinement.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use imprisonment
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
life imprisonment
sentenced to imprisonment
false imprisonment
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman emprisonement; see imprison + -ment.
Full origin of imprisonment →Frequently asked questions
What does “imprisonment” mean?
The word “imprisonment” means the state of being confined in prison, or a sentence involving such confinement. In plain terms, being locked up in prison, or the punishment of being sent there.
How do you pronounce “imprisonment”?
“Imprisonment” is pronounced ihm-PRIHZN-muhnt (/ɪmˈpɹɪzn̩.mənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “imprisonment” in a sentence?
Here is “imprisonment” used in a sentence: “The judge handed down a sentence of five years' imprisonment.”
What part of speech is “imprisonment”?
“Imprisonment” is a noun.
Where does the word “imprisonment” come from?
The word “imprisonment” comes from Anglo-Norman. From Anglo-Norman emprisonement; see imprison + -ment.
Is “imprisonment” a common word?
“Imprisonment” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between "imprisonment" and "incarceration"?
Both refer to being confined in prison. "Imprisonment" is the more everyday term and often names the legal punishment itself, while "incarceration" is more formal and technical, common in legal and official writing.
What is the difference between "imprisonment" and "detention"?
Imprisonment usually means confinement in prison, typically following a criminal conviction and sentence. Detention is broader and often shorter-term, covering being held by authorities without necessarily having been sentenced.
What is the difference between "life imprisonment" and a fixed sentence?
Life imprisonment is a sentence with no fixed end date, although in many systems release may become possible on licence after a minimum term is served. A fixed or determinate sentence instead specifies a defined length of confinement.
