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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Militants have carried out shooting attacks on troops, and Israel says its strikes are in response to that and other violations.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
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So if Russian troops enter Lithuania, God bless you, just like example, or another country on NATO’s eastern flank, what will the allies hear then?—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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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
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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.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 Jan. 2026
Noun
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McClure went undrafted out of college, but signed with the Colts as a free agent, played in seven games for Washington in 2017 and was on the practice squads for the Raiders and Lions.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
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When the Olympics or any international competition is ongoing, the banter and needling will kick in amongst the fans of the two rival squads.—
Dave Campbell,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Both squadrons stare each other down on horseback, in full armor and weaponry — looking like bonafide badasses of the Game of Thrones universe.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Feb. 2026
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The air force most recently retired two squadrons of Cold War-era MiG-21 fighters in September 2025, and is expected to phase out additional aircraft in the coming years.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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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
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The white officers in the 24 companies overseeing the volunteer platoons were also initially skeptical.—
Time,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detachments.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detachments. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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