Definitions and Examples of confine, imprison, detain
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
To keep someone or something within limits; to restrict movement or activity.
Example
The patient was confined to bed rest for a week after surgery.
To put someone in jail or prison; to deprive someone of freedom.
Example
The criminal was imprisoned for ten years for his crimes.
To keep someone in custody; to prevent someone from leaving.
Example
The police detained the suspect for questioning.
Key Differences: confine vs imprison vs detain
- 1Confine implies a restriction of movement or activity within certain limits.
- 2Imprison implies a legal or punitive confinement of someone in jail or prison.
- 3Detain implies a temporary holding of someone in custody for questioning or investigation.
Effective Usage of confine, imprison, detain
- 1Legal Context: Use imprison to describe the act of putting someone in jail or prison.
- 2Medical Context: Use confine to describe the act of restricting movement or activity for medical reasons.
- 3Law Enforcement Context: Use detain to describe the act of holding someone in custody for questioning or investigation.
Remember this!
The antonyms of discharged convey the opposite meaning of releasing or setting free. Use confine to describe a restriction of movement or activity, imprison to describe legal or punitive confinement, and detain to describe temporary holding for questioning or investigation.