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
-
The island, where Iran loads nearly all its oil exports, is seen as a potential target if Washington decides to hit Iranian energy or to use ground troops to seize it.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
22 Mar. 2026
-
The move came after a series of Iranian attacks on other troops at British, French and Italian bases in northern Iraq.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Meanwhile, historical epics reimagine Ming dynasty battalions fighting fantastical monsters, using special effects and visuals in ways that traditional production might find prohibitively expensive.—
Faye Bradley,
Variety,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Some of them are regular reserve units, but some of them are specific reserve units called regional-defense battalions, and there are regional brigades in the West Bank that have regional-defense battalions under them, which are units made up mostly of settlers.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Those final spots will soon be filled with two squads emerging from the intercontinental playoff and four more from the European playoffs.—
José Sánchez Córdova,
Dallas Morning News,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The new developmental players will get housing assistance and can practice and travel with their respective WNBA squads.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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 29 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
