1
as in imprisonment
the state of being held in lawful custody
he's been in detention since the arrest
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in delay
an instance or period of being prevented from going about one's business
the detention at the airport security checkpoint was brief, but because he was running late, it caused him to miss his flight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of detention
Advocates from the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights have raised questions about conditions at the Broadview detention facility over the last several weeks as arrests began escalating in the Chicago area.
—
Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2025
Last month, the Department of Justice charged Democratic Rep. LaMonica McIver with assaulting federal law enforcement during a chaotic melee that erupted outside an ICE detention facility in New Jersey.
—Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 17 June 2025
Zambrano said Sanabria Tarazona is in distress, warning that his detention in the U.S. re-victimizes him.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 17 June 2025
The band continues to defend themselves while out of custody, as preventive detention was not ordered.
—Natalia Cano, Billboard, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for detention
Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2025
Last month, the Department of Justice charged Democratic Rep. LaMonica McIver with assaulting federal law enforcement during a chaotic melee that erupted outside an ICE detention facility in New Jersey.
—Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 17 June 2025
Zambrano said Sanabria Tarazona is in distress, warning that his detention in the U.S. re-victimizes him.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 17 June 2025
The band continues to defend themselves while out of custody, as preventive detention was not ordered.
—Natalia Cano, Billboard, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for detention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detention
Noun
-
In a post-pandemic world where air travel has become increasingly unpredictable—think flight delays, overcrowded airports, and service that sometimes feels like an afterthought—finding carriers that consistently deliver excellence feels like striking gold (literally).—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
18 June 2025
-
Without governance, organizations may face regulatory delays, product holds or reputational damage.—
Doron Sitbon,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
For decades, mainstream television and film have often depicted Black families as fractured, usually due to incarceration, abandonment, or tragedy.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
15 June 2025
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But forcing people to move under the very real threat of incarceration is neither what many in our communities want nor what unhoused individuals need.—
Jamie Chang,
Mercury News,
12 June 2025
Noun
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Then Johnson tapped in Pape Sarr’s cross for the only goal in the Europa League final, ending Tottenham Hotspur’s 41-year wait for European silverware.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
7 June 2025
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Both events offer live entertainment, themed food, and access to select park attractions with generally shorter wait times than during the day How scary is Universal Halloween Horror Nights?—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detention. Accessed 24 Jun. 2025.
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