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
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
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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Pakistan often accuses Afghanistan, where the Taliban seized power again in August 2021 as American and NATO troops were withdrawing after a 20-year war, of harboring militants and members of the Pakistani Taliban.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Feb. 2026
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It is believed to have thousands of missiles and drones that could target US troops and assets in the Middle East.—
Nadeen Ebrahim,
CNN Money,
6 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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Contrary to many squads in professional football, the players are close and never miss an opportunity to crack a joke.—
Guillermo Rai,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
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Along the roads of South Waziristan, CNN saw multiple squads of heavily armed soldiers patrolling in trucks.—
Sophia Saifi,
CNN Money,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Local squadrons had to arrest a certain number of citizens so they could be designated enemies of the people.—
M. Gessen,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
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The aircraft carrier hosts multiple squadrons of aircraft, including F-35 Lightning II fighter jets and F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets.—
Konstantin Toropin,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 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 9 Feb. 2026.
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