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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Example Sentences
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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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Japanese Imperial troops killed more than 200,000 unarmed men and civilians, and raped and tortured tens of thousands of women and girls, in what is known as the Nanjing Massacre – one of the most notorious wartime atrocities of the 20th century.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
12 Nov. 2025
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By 2022, nationalist rhetoric from Yameen and his Progressive Party coalition intensified into a demand for the expulsion of the Indian troops stationed in the country.—
MUHIB RAHMAN,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Petula says there are stories about a mythical cat that stalks the woods near the battlefields at night, and tales of entire battalions of Confederate soldier ghosts roaming the military park.—
Graham Averill,
Outside,
28 Oct. 2025
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One’s impression is suddenly modified by the casual strength his handshake conveys, and rightly so, for beneath the elegant lines of his suit are hidden a hard body and the stamina of 10 battalions.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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What both Guardiola and Slot need is somehow to find the consistency of their title-winning campaigns while their squads are in a period of change.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
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Jayson Shaw, a Scottish player and fixture on Europe’s Mosconi Cup squads, said there are more major tournaments than ever, but the expenses to fly around the world quickly add up for second-and-third tier players.—
Jeremy Herb,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The Ford, which carries four squadrons of F/A-18 attack fighter jets and electronic warfare aircraft, is capable of a significant aerial bombing campaign.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
28 Oct. 2025
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Throughout his career -- from commanding helicopter squadrons to leading Carrier Strike Group One and standing up the International Maritime Security Construct -- Admiral Holsey has demonstrated unwavering commitment to mission, people, and nation.—
Anne Flaherty,
ABC News,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The white officers in the 24 companies overseeing the volunteer platoons were also initially skeptical.—
Time,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
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One of the kids, an athletic-looking teenager named Ladislav, told me that 1654 is organized into platoons that train with Kraken commanders.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
19 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detachments.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detachments. Accessed 22 Nov. 2025.
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