prisoners

NOUN

person jailed for crime; person kept against his or her will

Synonyms

STRONGEST

captive convict detainee hostage

STRONG

con culprit internee jailbird lag lifer loser tough yardbird

WEAK

chain gang member

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.

This makes it difficult and time-consuming to match them with the support prisoners need for release or re-entry to society.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 18, 2026

“In the interim, they are prisoners of geography. They don’t have too many options but to engage Iran. Iran is in the position where it knows that people will have to talk to it now.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 17, 2026

Any peace deal between the US and Iran should also include the release of innocent prisoners, the family of a British couple held in a Tehran prison say.

From BBC • Jun. 17, 2026

Officials have decontaminated the facility’s inmate housing as a precaution and medical staff are monitoring prisoners and staff for possible symptoms, The Mercury News reported.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2026

The doorman stood with his back straight, his chin up, staring down his nose at the approaching archers and prisoners.

From Anya and the Nightingale by Sofiya Pasternack