PENITENTIARY Synonyms: 51 Similar and Opposite Words

penitentiary

noun

ˌpe-nə-ˈten(t)-sh(ə-)rē

Definition of penitentiary next

as in prison

a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody a sentence in the state penitentiary for robbery

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

outside

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of penitentiary After Santiago sued prison officials, he was transferred out of Lee and to Victorville penitentiary in Southern California two months later. —

Christie Thompson, NPR, 18 Dec. 2024 Ultimately, Hazzard was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to perform hard labor at a state penitentiary in Walla Walla, Wash. —

Sean Neumann, People.com, 5 Jan. 2025 Kingstown follows the powerful family in a fictional Michigan town: Kingstown, Michigan, a city whose main industry is nine penitentiaries. —

Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Dec. 2024 The staff at Lee penitentiary is 98% White, according to the bureau, and multiple people said that guards seemed to be especially hostile to Black prisoners — who make up 62% of the prison's population. —

Christie Thompson, NPR, 18 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for penitentiary