false imprisonment

noun

: imprisonment of a person contrary to law

Examples of false imprisonment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The 26-year-old faces charges, including domestic violence simple battery, domestic violence false imprisonment, tampering with evidence, failure to report a death to the medical examiner’s office or law enforcement and unlawfully holding or moving a human dead body in unapproved conditions. Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026 He was later booked in jail on charges that included battery, false imprisonment, tampering with evidence, failure to report a death and unlawfully holding or moving a dead body. Tony Marrero, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026 He was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of storing remains in unapproved conditions, two counts of failure to report a death, battery, false imprisonment, and tampering with evidence, according to court records. Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 1 May 2026 Limon's roommate Hisham Abugarbieh has been arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder, battery, false imprisonment, tampering with evidence, failure to report a death and unlawfully moving a body. Kerry Breen, CBS News, 1 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for false imprisonment

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of false imprisonment was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“False imprisonment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/false%20imprisonment. Accessed 4 May. 2026.

Legal Definition

false imprisonment

noun
: the tort of intentionally restraining another by physical force or the threat of physical force without privilege or authority see also false arrest at arrest

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