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
Synonyms for captivity
- detention
- confinement
- imprisonment
- incarceration
- bondage
Antonyms for captivity
- freedom
- liberty
Idioms Using captivity
in captivity
imprisoned or confined, often used to describe animals
Example
The zoo has several endangered species in captivity.
take into captivity
to capture and imprison or confine
Example
The soldiers took the enemy general into captivity after a long battle.
Example
The prisoners managed to break out of captivity by overpowering the guards.
Phrases with captivity
Example
The prisoner managed to escape from captivity by digging a tunnel.
life in captivity
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.
hold in captivity
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'
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.
