1
as in objectivity
lack of favoritism toward one side or another
the judge showed commendable detachment when deciding the controversial case
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in patrol
a small military unit with a special task or function
the general sent a detachment ahead to scout the enemy's position
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in coldness
the absence of emotional involvement
his detachment allowed him a clearer perspective on the child custody case
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of detachment
His decision is driven by emotional detachment from Alvaro, who consistently prioritizes wealth, status, and control over genuine personal connection.
—
Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 15 May 2026
Moments before the gunshots, more than 10 marines in camouflage fatigues carrying assault rifles were seen arriving at the building, a detachment the military said had been requested by the Senate.
—Reuters, NBC news, 13 May 2026
This wonderful, glorious detachment.
—Literary Hub, 7 May 2026
If The House is Burning captured the joie de vivre of reclaiming your life after years of disassociation and detachment, IT’S BEEN AWFUL depicts the excruciating process of living with your eyes wide open, of holding up the mirror to your face and not looking away.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, Pitchfork, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for detachment
Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 15 May 2026
Moments before the gunshots, more than 10 marines in camouflage fatigues carrying assault rifles were seen arriving at the building, a detachment the military said had been requested by the Senate.
—Reuters, NBC news, 13 May 2026
This wonderful, glorious detachment.
—Literary Hub, 7 May 2026
If The House is Burning captured the joie de vivre of reclaiming your life after years of disassociation and detachment, IT’S BEEN AWFUL depicts the excruciating process of living with your eyes wide open, of holding up the mirror to your face and not looking away.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, Pitchfork, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for detachment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detachment
Noun
-
Slot, as head coach, was more of a middle manager; someone who acted with the objectivity of a civil servant and the occasional bluntness of a corrections officer.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
30 May 2026
-
Specifically, the manner in which Alfonsi’s work and objectivity was disparaged with the very public pulling of her CECOT piece.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
Police conducted a traffic stop and during the encounter, the driver allegedly rammed into a patrol vehicle multiple times and also drove toward an officer.—
Chelsea Hylton,
CBS News,
27 May 2026
-
The tanker went off the right shoulder of the highway and rolled onto its side, state patrol officials said.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
The record has always been looked at as the black sheep of the two albums, the more experimental foray that embraced the coldness of synths on a stylistic side quest.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
26 May 2026
-
When Charles was set to come face to face with one of the brightest, youngest faces of American politics, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, he was met with only a coldness and reminder of the crimes of British imperialism.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The pollution limit — or cap — declines each year, reducing the total amount of emissions in the state and helping California reach its ambitious climate targets, including 100% carbon neutrality by 2045.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
-
The group stands for love and peace of all people globally and neutrality.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
The implosion occurred during a shift change, and the six workers whose bodies were found were in an area of the site where workers would go before their shift, Matt Amos, Longview fire battalion chief, said, per The Guardian.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
-
When an American battalion was trapped behind enemy lines in World War I, a pigeon delivered the coordinates that helped save the soldiers when no human messenger could.—
Kasha Patel,
CNN Money,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Eliot loved hearing Claire talk about people, her combination of warmth and dispassion.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Nov. 2025
-
In the play’s most striking image, the dead sit in the Grover’s Corners graveyard in rows—rather like a theatre audience—watching the living with quiet dispassion.—
Helen Shaw,
The New Yorker,
17 Oct. 2024
Noun
-
India, an avatar of forceful neutralism early on, saw its influence diminished by regional conflict and domestic troubles.—
Erez Manela,
Foreign Affairs,
14 Dec. 2021
-
Globalizing impulses helped bring about a flourishing of neutralism.—
Leo Robson,
The New Yorker,
5 Dec. 2016
Noun
-
The Air Force's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance squadron flies 10 Super Hercules aircraft out of Biloxi, Mississippi.—
Scott Withers,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
-
Air Force reserve pilots were summoned to fighter squadrons at the Homestead Air Reserve Base, The Herald learned.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detachment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detachment. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
