Incarcerate — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /in-ˈkär-sə-ˌrāt/ in·car·cer·ate

Meaning & Definition of Incarcerate

Incarcerate (verb)

  1. to put in prison
  2. to subject to confinement

Incarcerate (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to put in or as if in prison

    "the state incarcerated over 1900 people last year"

    similar: commit, confine, immure, imprison, intern, jail, jug, lock (up)
    related: constrain, limit, restrain, restrict, shut, bar, gate, apprehend, arrest, bust (slang), capture, catch, detain, nab, pick up, pinch, seize, impress, shanghai, hold, impound, keep, bind, enchain, fetter, handcuff, manacle, shackle, trammel
    opposite: discharge, free, liberate, release
    near: emancipate, enfranchise, manumit, unbind, uncage, unchain, unfetter

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Incarcerate

The most common words with a similar meaning to Incarcerate:

commit, confine, immure, imprison, intern, jail, jug, lock (up)

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Incarcerate

Words with the opposite meaning of Incarcerate:

discharge, free, liberate, release

Related Words for Incarcerate

constrain, limit, restrain, restrict, shut, bar, gate, apprehend, arrest, bust, capture, catch, detain, nab, pick up, pinch, seize, impress, shanghai, hold, impound, keep, bind, enchain, fetter, handcuff, manacle, shackle, trammel

Near Antonyms of Incarcerate

emancipate, enfranchise, manumit, unbind, uncage, unchain, unfetter

Word Forms of Incarcerate

Inflections: incarcerated, incarcerating

Origin & Etymology of Incarcerate

Latin incarceratus, past participle of incarcerare, from in- + carcer prison

First known use: 1575

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Incarcerate

Frequently Asked Questions about Incarcerate

What does "Incarcerate" mean?

"Incarcerate" means to put in prison. As a verb, it is defined as: to put in prison.

What is another word for "Incarcerate"?

Other words for "Incarcerate" include commit, confine, immure, imprison, intern, jail, jug and lock (up). The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Incarcerate" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Incarcerate"?

There are 37 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Incarcerate". Common alternatives include commit, confine, immure, imprison, intern, jail, jug and lock (up).

What is the opposite of "Incarcerate"?

Antonyms of "Incarcerate" include discharge, free, liberate and release. Near antonyms include emancipate, enfranchise, manumit and unbind.

How do you use "Incarcerate" in a sentence?

Examples of "Incarcerate" in a sentence: "the state incarcerated over 1900 people last year".

Is "Incarcerate" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Incarcerate" is a verb.

Is "Incarcerate" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Incarcerate" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Incarcerate"?

"Incarcerate" is pronounced /in-ˈkär-sə-ˌrāt/ and divided into syllables as in·car·cer·ate.