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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This is a very powerful operation; our troops are operating along the front lines and at depth.—
Brian Dakss,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
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The PathMaster capability ensures that supply lines remain open and that troops can maneuver effectively, which directly impacts mission success.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Rather, our liberties would be saved by the ragtag battalions of night people doing their tireless work, unpaid, unheralded, and largely unseen.—
Daniel Brook,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
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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
Noun
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The Kings are also doing a mini-Nuggets, riding a four-game win streak — the longest active streak among West squads — into Monday’s action.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
13 Apr. 2026
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Arsenal’s first two games back from the international break have proven that the number of players who withdrew from their national squads was not a deceptive tactic.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The base in Suffolk, eastern England, and RAF Feltwell in the neighboring county of Norfolk host the 48th Fighter Wing, comprising some 7,000 active-duty personnel and four squadrons of F-15 Strike Eagles and F-35A Lightning II fighter jets.—
Mosheh Gains,
NBC news,
3 Apr. 2026
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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
Noun
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Detachments.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detachments. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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