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captivity

[kapˈtɪvəti]

captivity Definition

  • 1the state of being imprisoned or confined
  • 2the state of being under someone else's control or power

Using captivity: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "captivity" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    The animals were kept in captivity for years before being released into the wild.

  • Example

    The prisoner longed for freedom from his captivity.

  • Example

    The hostages were held in captivity for months before being rescued.

  • Example

    The tribe was forced into captivity by the invading army.

captivity Synonyms and Antonyms

Antonyms for captivity

Idioms Using captivity

  • imprisoned or confined, often used to describe animals

    Example

    The zoo has several endangered species in captivity.

  • to capture and imprison or confine

    Example

    The soldiers took the enemy general into captivity after a long battle.

  • to escape from imprisonment or confinement

    Example

    The prisoners managed to break out of captivity by overpowering the guards.

Phrases with captivity

  • to break free from imprisonment or confinement

    Example

    The prisoner managed to escape from captivity by digging a tunnel.

  • the experience of being imprisoned or confined for an extended period of time

    Example

    The animal had difficulty adjusting to life in captivity after being rescued from the wild.

  • to keep someone or something imprisoned or confined

    Example

    The rebels held the government officials in captivity until their demands were met.

Origins of captivity

from Latin 'captivitas', meaning 'a taking captive'

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Summary: captivity in Brief

The term 'captivity' [kapˈtɪvəti] refers to the state of being imprisoned or confined, or under someone else's control or power. It is often used to describe animals kept in zoos or people held as prisoners. Phrases like 'escape from captivity' and 'hold in captivity' are common, as are idioms like 'in captivity,' which describes animals that are confined, and 'break out of captivity,' which means to escape from confinement.

How do native speakers use this expression?