Synonyms of penitentiary

penitentiary

noun

ˌpe-nə-ˈten(t)-sh(ə-)rē 

as in prison

a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody

a sentence in the state penitentiary for robbery

Synonyms & Similar Words

• prison
• jail
• brig
• stockade
• jailhouse
• bridewell
• calaboose
• lockup
• pen
• coop
• slammer
• guardroom
• bastille
• hoosegow
• cage
• cooler
• big house
• hock
• pokey
• tolbooth
• jug
• dungeon
• clink
• cell
• joint
• tank
• quod
• can
• stir
• slam
• nick
• ward
• guardhouse
• bull pen
• gulag
• hold
• reformatory
• hole
• prison camp
• labor camp
• stalag
• concentration camp
• glasshouse
• block
• work camp
• oubliette
• reform school
• keep
• hulk(s)
• training school

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• outside

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of penitentiary

During that time, Kara-Murza was held in solitary confinement for 11 months and locked up in 13 different penitentiaries, including some of the most notorious prison colonies in the country. —Helen Regan, CNN, 13 Aug. 2024

For example, in 1948, the British occupying forces returned the camp at Neuengamme, near Hamburg, back to the Germans, who immediately converted it into a state penitentiary, removing the wooden huts and replacing them with a large new prison complex. —Richard J. Evans, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2017

Garcia Glenn White was pronounced dead shortly before 7 p.m. local time at the state penitentiary in Huntsville, according to CBS News, The Associated Press, and USA Today. —Sean Neumann, People.com, 2 Oct. 2024

In Texas, Travis Mullis was pronounced dead at the state penitentiary in Huntsville at 7:01 p.m. for the killing of his 3-month-old son. —Louis Casiano, Fox News, 24 Sep. 2024