as in patrols
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
Relevance
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 detachments
Additional police resources were deployed to the area from neighboring detachments, along with the North District Emergency Response Team.
—
Alexandra Koch , Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026
The Israeli military has amassed two major groups of armored vehicles in Sheikh Radwan, to the north of Gaza City, according to the imagery, with additional detachments of armored vehicles stationed along roads that lead toward Israel.
—CNN Money, 17 Sep. 2025
Although the much smaller Michino’o/Togitsu metal foundry detachments could not compete with the Ōhashi unit in terms of sheer noise and numbers, these girls were in high spirits this fine and yet‑too‑hot hot morning.
—Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2025
Alexandra Koch , Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026
The Israeli military has amassed two major groups of armored vehicles in Sheikh Radwan, to the north of Gaza City, according to the imagery, with additional detachments of armored vehicles stationed along roads that lead toward Israel.
—CNN Money, 17 Sep. 2025
Although the much smaller Michino’o/Togitsu metal foundry detachments could not compete with the Ōhashi unit in terms of sheer noise and numbers, these girls were in high spirits this fine and yet‑too‑hot hot morning.
—Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detachments
Noun
-
Chernobyl, once a popular tourist destination, has been closed to most visitors since Russian troops, crossing into Ukraine from Belarus, briefly occupied the plant four years ago.—
Lizzie Johnson,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Some 900 people died in the war, including 649 Argentines, 255 British troops and three civilian islanders.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In the letter read out to lawmakers of the Central African country on Monday, Chadian President Mahamat Déby Itno said two battalions of 750 troops each will be deployed from this month for one year, following a request by the United Nations.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Rather, our liberties would be saved by the ragtag battalions of night people doing their tireless work, unpaid, unheralded, and largely unseen.—
Daniel Brook,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Missy Bo Kearns Made her debut as a substitute away at Spain last year — a baptism of fire — and was in consecutive England squads after Euro 2025, starting against Ghana in December.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Their six-game runway into the postseason included wins over short-handed squads and the tanking Utah Jazz, hardly results to write home about with playoff basketball looming.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The base in Suffolk, eastern England, and RAF Feltwell in the neighboring county of Norfolk host the 48th Fighter Wing, comprising some 7,000 active-duty personnel and four squadrons of F-15 Strike Eagles and F-35A Lightning II fighter jets.—
Mosheh Gains,
NBC news,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The Navy’s presence on an Air Force base in a landlocked state may seem strange, but the position is strategic, allowing squadrons to quickly deploy around the world in support of the TACAMO mission.—
Magda Liszewska,
Oc Register,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Rays were also at the forefront of other innovations and/or adjustments, such as defensive shifts, lineup platoons, matchup bullpens, star-quality super-utility players and putting a numbers nerd (technically a process and analytics coach) in the dugout.—
Marc Topkin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Outfield requires far more starting spots, and most of those available later in drafts are locked in platoons.—
Dalton Del Don,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detachments.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detachments. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
