Institution
Institution noun - A public organization with a particular purpose or function.
Penitentiary and institution are semantically related. In some cases you can use "Penitentiary" instead a noun "Institution".
Penitentiary
Penitentiary noun - A place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody.
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Synonyms for Penitentiary
Institution and penitentiary are semantically related. Sometimes you can use "Institution" instead a noun "Penitentiary".
Nearby Word: penitential
Mutual synonyms
Both words in one sentence
- Technically speaking, a jail is where someone is placed while awaiting trial or to serve sentences under one year, while a prison (also known as correctional institution, penitentiary, or correctional facility) is for persons serving a year or more.
Source: Useful Notes / American Prisons
Cite this Source
Penitentiary and Institution. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 14, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/institution/penitentiary
Institution & Penitentiary. N.p., 2016. Web. 14 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/institution/penitentiary>.
Penitentiary or Institution. 2016. Accessed August 14, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/institution/penitentiary.
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