1
as in detention
the state of being held in lawful custody
keep him in detainer for at least 72 hours
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in appropriation
the unlawful taking or withholding of something from the rightful owner under a guise of authority
she filed an action for unlawful detainer of land after nonpayment of rent
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of detainer
The Department of Homeland Security filed a detainer request for Brito-Costa, who is being held in uptown’s jail without bond.
—
Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2026
Earlier this week, the Los Angeles County Superior Court ruled in favor of Rourke’s landlord in an unlawful detainer case, according to People.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 11 Mar. 2026
Lost in all the heated rhetoric is the fact that so much of this turmoil would have been avoided if federal detainers were simply honored within local jails and state prisons — away from the public and professional provocateurs who are drawn to uncivil cultural conflict like bees to honey.
—Bob Ehrlich, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2026
At the same news conference, one of Mejia's attorneys noted the Austin mother would spend another 48 hours in the Travis County jail because of the detainer rather than with her family.
—Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detainer
Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2026
Earlier this week, the Los Angeles County Superior Court ruled in favor of Rourke’s landlord in an unlawful detainer case, according to People.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 11 Mar. 2026
Lost in all the heated rhetoric is the fact that so much of this turmoil would have been avoided if federal detainers were simply honored within local jails and state prisons — away from the public and professional provocateurs who are drawn to uncivil cultural conflict like bees to honey.
—Bob Ehrlich, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2026
At the same news conference, one of Mejia's attorneys noted the Austin mother would spend another 48 hours in the Travis County jail because of the detainer rather than with her family.
—Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detainer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detainer
Noun
-
Her mother, Maria Alejandra, had told me in long, vivid emails about some of more serious concerns about her and her daughter’s deteriorating mental and physical health during their prolonged detention.—
Mica Rosenberg,
ProPublica,
24 Mar. 2026
-
On Monday, the city council's Public Safety Committee unanimously voted to declare its opposition to any potential plan by the federal agency to purchase or convert warehouses within the city limits into detention facilities.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Donations to the government are accepted into the Treasury Department – which holds the government's cash – and then disbursed based on congressional appropriations – rules set by Congress about how they can be distributed – just like other federal funds.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Schumer introduced a bill to solely fund TSA, suspending Senate rules and advancing it through the Rules Committee, which doesn’t handle appropriations legislation.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Dog theft is considered a criminal offense in China, with potential fines or imprisonment depending on the animal’s value.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Dog Theft and the Law in China Dog theft is considered a criminal offense in China, with potential fines or imprisonment depending on the animal’s value.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There have been several large drug seizures in Puerto Rico in the last few months alone.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Mar. 2026
-
From 2022 to 2024, Mexican authorities greatly increased the seizure of these vehicles and the detention of migrants traveling inside them.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
On average, detention facilities daily now hold nearly 70,000 immigrants, a scale of mass detention not seen since the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans and nationals during World War II.—
Eric Westervelt,
NPR,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Many of the deposits preceded Epstein’s incarceration at MCC.—
Julie K. Brown,
Miami Herald,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Police have arrested a man in connection with a street takeover in East Haven in November where multiple people climbed on top of a police cruiser and a fire extinguisher was thrown at it.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Germany’s Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil wants to force foreign companies to form joint ventures with local firms to operate within Europe, while also seeking tighter scrutiny over cross-border takeovers.—
Kamil Kowalcze,
Bloomberg,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The controversial Crowsnest annexation petition in Castle Pines has been withdrawn by the developer, as Castle Pines prepares to consider creating an annexation policy.—
Olivia Young,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Approved on Tuesday was the annexation of the land into Yorkville that will one day hold the Project Cardinal data centers, a rezoning of the area to a general manufacturing zoning district and utility, infrastructure and development agreements between the city and Pioneer Development.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detainer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detainer. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
