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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On Tuesday, it was reported that Indian troops had joined a military drill with Russian and Belarusian forces near Minsk, days after Russian drones entered Polish and Romanian airspace.—
Chloe Taylor,Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
17 Sep. 2025
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Last week’s Russian drone incursion into NATO member Poland drew strong condemnation from European NATO allies, and pledges of more planes and troops for the bloc’s eastern flank.—
Jill Lawless,
Twin Cities,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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That would imply three missile-firing battalions and six to nine nuclear-capable ICBMs, such as the Hwasong-15 or Hwasong-18.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Aug. 2025
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While the arc of Agu’s transformation is tragic and the story of the civil war and its battalions of child soldiers is wide in scope, the power of the novel lies in its immersion.—
Katie Kitamura
August 21,
Literary Hub,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The overwhelming pattern is that what China showcases at Tiananmen becomes reality in squadrons, brigades, and fleets.—
Amir Husain,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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Its aviation force consists of nine squadrons of fourth- and fifth-generation aircraft, the latter referring to F-35C stealth fighter jets.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The game was the District 3-5A Division II openers for both squads and the Cougars are 3-0 overall and 1-0 in district play for the second year in a row.—
Cody Thorn,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Sep. 2025
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Both teams expect to be playing deep into January (and maybe into February if things go right), so this prime-time showdown will be a good litmus test for both squads.—
Jim Reineking,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Trump’s grandiose displays of brute force—the massing of weapons of war and platoons of masked, unidentified combat fighters targeting the very civilian populations they are commissioned to protect—does not bring reassurance.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
25 Aug. 2025
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Russian assault platoons are rushing behind ukrainian lines.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detachments.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detachments. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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