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.
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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.
