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
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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
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That led to Israel sending troops across the border while bombing the Lebanese capital.—
Franco Ordoñez,
NPR,
7 Mar. 2026
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And naive, especially after the Soviet Union spent a decade fighting in Afghanistan to put communist allies in charge, before withdrawing its troops in 1989 amid failure.—
Jill Lawrence,
Mercury News,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The Marines, the only service with a command structure for its wounded warrior program, has two battalions, one at Camp Pendleton and the other at Camp Lejeune.—
Erika I. Ritchie,
Oc Register,
28 Feb. 2026
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The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military plans, said two infantry battalions of the Army’s 11th Airborne Division have been given prepare-to-deploy orders.—
Jack Brook,
Fortune,
19 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Orlando will have a chance to bounce back this week against two lowly squads, first against the 16-win Wizards on Tuesday and then the 21-win Mavericks on Thursday.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Mar. 2026
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Both squads now turn attentions to their respective Summit League Championship tournaments this coming week.—
Staff Report,
Twin Cities,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
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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
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India already operates two squadrons of Rafale fighter jets and last year signed a deal to purchase 26 marine variants of the stealth fighter for the navy.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The Rays’ current depth chart is extremely left-handed, forcing them to choose two lefty bats who will effectively play every day alongside a heavy set of platoons.—
Derek VanRiper,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
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According to the Defense official, the Army plans to ramp up training over the next year, eventually sending in platoons of some 40 soldiers at a time to train.—
Anne Flaherty,
ABC News,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detachments.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detachments. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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