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.

Cal McMau’s feature directorial debut hardly reinvents the formula, but it does remind audiences what remains so sturdy about the premise of an ordinary man trying to stay alive behind bars.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

She said she felt "numb and shocked" when the letters started appearing and that he was still trying to "manipulate" her from behind bars.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

This explains why roughly 1,200 prisoners of conscience, including some 700 arrested for participating in islandwide protests against the dictatorship on July 11, 2021, remain behind bars.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

Kornev’s tragedy is that, while he may not be behind bars, he can’t see the prison he’s trapped in.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

The FBI and the newspapers were quick to proclaim that “the War’s No. 1 Woman Spy” had been put behind bars.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield