DETAINEES Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

detainees

noun

plural of detainee

as in defendants

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for detainees

Noun

Newsom and other opponents of capital punishment have long argued that the process is costly, cruel and discriminatory, with death sentences disproportionately handed down to defendants of color.

— Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
At the time, the defendants essentially treated the suit as sour grapes and a money grab by the estate.

— Dominic Patten, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of defendants

Noun

Two suspects hit several businesses in the Fairfax District early Tuesday morning, with one suspect in police custody.

— Julie Sharp, CBS News, 6 May 2026
Deem fired his weapon at the suspects, but no injuries were reported, and the disturbance suspect has not been apprehended.

— Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 25 Nov. 2025

Definition of suspects

Noun

His lacerating wit spares no member of his staff—a mix of true incompetents, off-putting savants, ticking time bombs, and onetime offenders prematurely consigned to professional purgatory.

— Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026
Penalties increase if offenders cover their faces or someone is injured.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of offenders

Noun

The 83-year-old Mann is known for directing gritty crime stories, many of which look at cops and criminals and are set in urban landscapes.

— Brent Lang, IndieWire, 1 Nov. 2026
Users include not only law enforcement, but also homeowners associations and businesses – and advocates say the cameras can deter criminals and help track down suspects and missing people.

— Graham Hurley, CNN Money, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of criminals

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detainee

detainees

detainer

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“Detainees.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detainees. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of detainees

noun

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