DETAINERS Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

detainers

noun

Definition of detainers next

plural of detainer

as in detentions

the state of being held in lawful custody keep him in detainer for at least 72 hours

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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 detainers 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 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 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 Cox said his department ignored requests due to the Trust Act, which prohibits local cooperation with ICE for civil detainers, but, per city officials, still allows for cooperation in certain criminal matters. —

Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 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 The two additional passengers were issued citations for open container violations and were taken into custody on civil ICE detainers. —

Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 20 Feb. 2026 Across the state, the growing prevalence of immigration detainers was also apparent in the analysis. —

Aileen Clarke, Austin American Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for detainers

Noun

Data from the Deportation Data Project show that people were being detained in the San Diego holding room more frequently in the latter half of 2025 compared to earlier in the year and during the Biden administration, though monthly detentions in the holding room have dipped slightly during 2026.

— Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Rights groups report hundreds of detentions since the war began, with deteriorating prison conditions and threats of lethal force against new protests.

— Amir-Hussein Radjy, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026