incarcerate

USAGE SUMMARY

'incarcerate' is an appropriate and commonly used word in written English.
It is typically used as a verb meaning to confine someone in a prison or other type of correctional facility, or to restrict someone's movements or activities. For example, "The prisoner was incarcerated for three years before being released on parole."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In part because of federal grants to states to incarcerate drug offenders, the United States experienced the largest increase in incarceration in the history of the free world.

The New York Times

"The United States has locked up so many people that it has the highest incarceration rate in the world, but we can't arrest and incarcerate our way out of crime.

The New York Times

In a damning indictment of the rule of law in Russia, the tribunal found that the country's courts had "bent to the will of Russian executive authorities" to "incarcerate a man who gave signs of becoming a political competitor".

The Guardian - Business

If the new men in charge want to be seen as governing a civilised society with checks and balances and a respect for human rights then they must embrace a free press, not incarcerate those who dare to differ.

The Guardian

The private prison industry spent $45m on lobbying in the past decade, much of it going toward legislation that would simply incarcerate more people.

The Guardian - Opinion

The camps are often used to incarcerate political and religious dissidents.

The Economist

They are central to it demonstrating the Kremlin's ability to disregard the truth if it so chooses, just as it has the ability to incarcerate opponents or invade foreign countries.

The Economist

A complex network of other centres will induct and track new claimants, and incarcerate those about to be ejected.

The Economist

Death-row inmates are more expensive to incarcerate, too: they usually have their own cells, with meals brought to them and multiple guards present for every visit.

The Economist

They say Mr Breivik's rambling political doctrine is a shield for lunacy and it would be safer to incarcerate him under psychiatric order.

The Economist

It costs over £55,000 a year to incarcerate a woman.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "incarcerate", consider the context. It's a formal term best suited for legal or journalistic writing. For casual conversation, alternatives like "jail" or "imprison" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "incarcerate" in everyday conversation. It can sound overly formal or even pretentious. Opt for simpler words like "jail" or "imprison" when speaking or writing informally.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "incarcerate" is as a verb, denoting the act of imprisoning or confining someone. Ludwig AI validates this usage with numerous examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "incarcerate" is a verb that means to imprison or confine someone, primarily used in formal contexts like legal and journalistic writing. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently found in news media, encyclopedias, and formal business documents. While alternatives like "jail" or "imprison" are suitable for informal speech, "incarcerate" is preferred when discussing legal or criminal justice matters. Common usage patterns show that this word is often used in "News & Media", "Encyclopedias", and "Formal & Business" contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

imprison

A more general term for holding someone in custody.

jail

Refers specifically to confining someone in a jail.

put behind bars

An idiomatic expression emphasizing the act of imprisonment.

detain

Implies a temporary holding, often for questioning or investigation.

confine

A broader term suggesting restriction of movement.

take into custody

Emphasizes the act of arresting and holding someone.

send to prison

Directly indicates the action of sentencing someone to a prison term.

put in a correctional facility

More formal way of describing the action of sending someone to prison.

hold in detention

Similar to "detain", but with a stronger emphasis on holding.

immure

Suggests enclosing or confining someone, often in a metaphorical sense.

FAQs

What does it mean to "incarcerate" someone?

To "incarcerate" someone means to imprison or confine them, typically as a punishment for a crime.

What can I say instead of "incarcerate"?

You can use alternatives like "imprison", "jail", or "put behind bars" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "incarcerate" in informal speech?

While grammatically correct, using "incarcerate" in informal speech can sound overly formal. Simpler terms like "jail" or "imprison" are generally preferred.

What is the difference between "incarcerate" and "detain"?

"Incarcerate" implies a longer-term imprisonment, while "detain" suggests a temporary holding, often for questioning or investigation.