1
as in detentions
the state of being held in lawful custody
keep him in detainer for at least 72 hours
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in appropriations
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
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Recent Examples of detainers
The department’s standing policy is based off a 2017 state law prohibiting Massachusetts police officers from enforcing civil immigration detainers.
—
Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
According to the lawsuit, Connecticut has honored less than 20% of the civil immigration detainers issued by the federal government since 2020.
—Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 14 Apr. 2026
Afterward, Moore issued three directives clarifying that state and local agencies may still cooperate with ICE on criminal matters and immigration detainers.
—Jeff Barker, Baltimore Sun, 13 Apr. 2026
The sheriff previously declined to honor certain federal immigration detainers, drawing criticism from state lawmakers and prompting legislative changes.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 10 Apr. 2026
Widely used police databases alert ICE to arrests of immigrants on its radar, after which the federal agency can send special requests, called detainers, to ask local cops to hold them until a federal agent can retrieve them.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
The county sheriff’s office said that ICE did not submit any other detainers or warrants stemming from Jalloh’s numerous arrests over the years.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 9 Mar. 2026
Collins says detainers have not affected population levels.
—Monroe Trombly, Louisville Courier Journal, 6 Mar. 2026
Court resources will be devoted to meeting statutory deadlines such as criminal cases, custody arraignments, unlawful detainers, and civil harassment and domestic violence matters, according to the court.
—Aldo Toledo, San Francisco Chronicle, 25 Feb. 2026
Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
According to the lawsuit, Connecticut has honored less than 20% of the civil immigration detainers issued by the federal government since 2020.
—Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 14 Apr. 2026
Afterward, Moore issued three directives clarifying that state and local agencies may still cooperate with ICE on criminal matters and immigration detainers.
—Jeff Barker, Baltimore Sun, 13 Apr. 2026
The sheriff previously declined to honor certain federal immigration detainers, drawing criticism from state lawmakers and prompting legislative changes.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 10 Apr. 2026
Widely used police databases alert ICE to arrests of immigrants on its radar, after which the federal agency can send special requests, called detainers, to ask local cops to hold them until a federal agent can retrieve them.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
The county sheriff’s office said that ICE did not submit any other detainers or warrants stemming from Jalloh’s numerous arrests over the years.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 9 Mar. 2026
Collins says detainers have not affected population levels.
—Monroe Trombly, Louisville Courier Journal, 6 Mar. 2026
Court resources will be devoted to meeting statutory deadlines such as criminal cases, custody arraignments, unlawful detainers, and civil harassment and domestic violence matters, according to the court.
—Aldo Toledo, San Francisco Chronicle, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detainers
Noun
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While none of those migrants are being held at Bata, the visit put the spotlight on Equatorial Guinea’s overall human rights record and its judiciary, which rights campaigners have criticized for its lack of independence, arbitrary detentions and other abuses.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
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The detentions have made residents hesitant to speak about the war, throttled the availability of crucial online evidence of the unfolding conflict and contributed to a climate of fear in the face of authoritarian governments.—
Jane Lytvynenko,
NBC news,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Monday Interior Secretary Doug Burgum is slated to testify before the House appropriations committee.—
Rachel Frazin,
The Hill,
17 Apr. 2026
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Know More Collins, first elected to the Senate in 1996, chairs the chamber’s powerful appropriations committee.—
Colin Campbell,
semafor.com,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Once a technically complicated legal rarity used to challenge improper incarcerations, habeas corpus petitions have become the predominant avenue for immigrants seeking release from detentions that increasingly end only with a deportation order.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
12 Apr. 2026
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Despite their felony convictions and impending incarcerations, both former Met police career criminals continue to collect their monthly kisses in the mail — $8,850 a month for Cederquist and $6,020 for Butner.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
4 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Williams knew, in bits and pieces, that Thomas was struggling with seizures in his final months.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Fentanyl seizures, along with several other illicit drugs, have also dipped.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In Acts, the disciple Paul endures several imprisonments, turning to God for strength and divine intervention.—
Emiliano Tahui Gómez,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
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Lusverti added that the list of beneficiaries fails to cover key periods of arbitrary detentions, including cases between 2020 and 2024, and raised concerns that the same courts that ordered the imprisonments are now responsible for administering the amnesty.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Police said some of the group may have travelled to other street takeovers in the area that night, including Boston.—
Penny Kmitt,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
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Teen takeovers are rattling Washington DC, as a string of large, unsupervised gatherings this spring has led to disruptions, police responses and growing concern among city leaders.—
Mike Stunson,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But county commissioners voted in February to put a moratorium on annexations and incorporations for at least five years to give the county time to assess the fiscal impact of future annexation and incorporations.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detainers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detainers. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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