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imprison — to put or keep someone in prison as a punishment

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to put or keep someone in prison as a punishment

Pronunciation (IPA): /ɪmˈprɪzən/

Example Sentences

  • The corrupt politician was imprisoned for stealing taxpayers' money to buy 100 luxury cats.
  • She felt imprisoned by her mother's daily phone calls asking if she ate rice.
  • The court will imprison anyone who commits serious crimes.

imprison

VERB

[/ɪmˈprɪzən/]

to put or keep someone in prison as a punishment

The heavy prison door slammed shut, imprisoning the man for many years.
💡 Concept

The heavy prison door slammed shut, imprisoning the man for many years.

To imprison someone is to lock away that person's freedom behind prison bars. (🔒 Prison + 👤 Lock Inside → Imprison)
🧠 Mnemonic

To imprison someone is to lock away that person's freedom behind prison bars. (🔒 Prison + 👤 Lock Inside → Imprison)

The guards led him into prison, imprisoned him behind iron bars, and took away his freedom.
🎵 Rhyme

The guards led him into prison, imprisoned him behind iron bars, and took away his freedom.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ɪmˈprɪzən/
🇬🇧 UK/ɪmˈprɪzən/

🌳Etymology

Prefixim--
Rootprison

Origin

From Old French 'emprisoner', formed from the prefix 'en-' (put into) combined with 'prison' (a place of confinement). The word ultimately derives from Latin 'prehendere' meaning 'to seize or capture'.

Breakdown

im- (in-) + prison (noun: a place of confinement) = imprison (to put into prison)

🎵Rhyme

reason
season
treason

🔗Collocations

imprison someone
wrongfully imprison
imprison for life
imprison without trial
temporarily imprison
imprison the mind

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“The corrupt politician was imprisoned for stealing taxpayers' money to buy 100 luxury cats.”

😄 Fun example

“She felt imprisoned by her mother's daily phone calls asking if she ate rice.”

“The court will imprison anyone who commits serious crimes.”

“His fear of failure imprisoned him from trying new challenges.”

📚Related Words

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