Synonyms for

Captivity

Verb / kæˈptɪvʌti: / Another word for captivity — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

The state of being imprisoned or confined.

Synonyms & similar words

enslavement incarceration immurement imprisonment confinement imprisonment detention custody incarceration internment imprisoning restraint captivation bondage slavery servitude subjugation conquest seizure enslavement arrest hold trap encirclement

Synonyms by register

Formal

confinement detention internment imprisonment

Informal

cage pen trap

Literary

thralldom bondage enslavement

Antonyms

freedom liberty release emancipation independence unrestraint

Common collocations

  • in captivity
  • animal captivity
  • human captivity
  • captivity of
  • end captivity
  • escape captivity
  • hold in captivity

Word family

noun captivity
verb captivate
adjective captivating
adverb captivatingly

Usage note

Captivity refers to the state of being imprisoned or confined. While 'captivate' shares a root, it means to charm or enthrall, not to imprison.

Example sentences

  1. The bird was kept in captivity for research.
  2. The zookeeper was responsible for the animals' captivity.
  3. The captive was able to escape from his captors.
  4. The soldier was taken into captivity during the war.
  5. The captivity of whales in theme parks is controversial.

Quotes

  • Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.
  • The only way to deal with fear is to face it head-on.
  • Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all.

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