as in jails
a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody
the firm conviction that juvenile offenders should never be held in adult lockups
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Recent Examples of lockups
Salinas Valley has become one of the most violent lockups in the state.
—
Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Owners reported sudden deceleration, downshifting, and temporary rear wheel lockups in 2015-2017 models.
—Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
These investments are typically illiquid and long-term, with multi-year lockups and limited redemption options.
—Fred Hubler, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Owners reported sudden deceleration, downshifting, and temporary rear wheel lockups in 2015-2017 models.
—Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
These investments are typically illiquid and long-term, with multi-year lockups and limited redemption options.
—Fred Hubler, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lockups
Noun
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For decades, the Orange County branch of the Mexican Mafia was led by Peter Ojeda, a longtime Santa Ana gang chieftain who maintained control over the local streets and jails even after a federal racketeering conviction in 2006 left him in a prison cell three time zones away.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
23 Apr. 2026
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He has been held in jails in New York and Los Angeles, and for a time in New York state prison, since his first conviction in 2020.—
Karla Cote,
Variety,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Behind bars in state penitentiaries in Gatesville and Marlin, Mejia felt forgotten.—
Emiliano Tahui Gómez,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
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The wave of prison violence is happening despite the deployment of military and police forces in several penitentiaries.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
8 Dec. 2025
Noun
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The Mexican Mafia, described as the largest and most powerful gang operating from inside state prisons, controls gangs throughout Southern California.—
Brittny Mejia,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
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These journalists filled space with their reviews and a host of other stories related to theater including the work of theater productions in prisons, education, and other areas.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lockups.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lockups. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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