behind bars

VERB

serving jail time

Synonyms

WEAK

confined imprisoned in jail in prison incarcerated jailed put away serving time under lock and key

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.

The government also plans to implement maximum-security standards in dozens of prisons across the country in a bid to sever organized crime leaders' ability to operate from behind bars.

From Barron's • May 12, 2026

While Thaksin was behind bars, Pheu Thai had its worst-ever result in the February general election.

From BBC • May 10, 2026

Under that plea deal, Gutierrez was poised to avoid spending time behind bars.

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2026

And yet is it in the interest of justice to hold behind bars a person who’s not the same one who was sentenced?

From Slate • May 2, 2026

By the end of 2007, more than 7 million Americans—or one in every 31 adults—were behind bars, on probation, or on parole.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander