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Definitions

custody

[kuhs-tuh-dee] / ˈkʌs tə di /
NOUN
supervision, charge of something
Synonyms
STRONGEST
care guardianship protection
STRONG
aegis auspices conservation custodianship keeping management observation preservation safekeeping salvation superintendence trusteeship ward watch
WEAK
tute-lage wardship
Antonyms
STRONG
destruction neglect waste
WEAK
freedom liberation liberty
NOUN
confinement, jailing
Synonyms
STRONGEST
arrest detention imprisonment incarceration jail
STRONG
duress keeping
Antonyms
STRONGEST
freedom release
WEAK
liberation liberty

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.

Nepal's ex-prime minister KP Sharma Oli and former interior minister Ramesh Lekhak have been released from custody after questioning for their alleged role in a deadly 2025 crackdown on protesters, police said Thursday.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

She was in custody for two days before being released on a $100,000 bond.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

Judge Judy Khan KC remanded Boudra in custody and a trial date has been set for three weeks in January 2027.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

Sangha, who is a dual citizen of the United States and Britain, has been in federal custody since August 2024.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

“Your mother will always be your mother, but she’s not likely to get custody back.”

From "The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko