1
as in detentions
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 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
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
Mecklenburg has received 111 detainers so far in 2026.
—
Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
More than 1,700 immigrants with active detainers were released to the streets by Illinois authorities in 2025.
—Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
People who are on ICE detainers wear a green band on their wrists.
—Jennifer Mayerle, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Homan acknowledged that the Department of Corrections had been honoring ICE detainers—requests from the federal government for information about inmates who may be subject to immigration removal proceedings.
—Toluse Olorunnipa, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2026
The Minnesota Department of Corrections has been honoring ICE detainers and cooperating with federal authorities, Homan said Thursday.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
Police said Acevedo has been released on bond, while AlarconSanchez and Derce Lara are being held on immigration detainers.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 29 Jan. 2026
At the Dakota County jail, for instance, ICE placed roughly 80 detainers last year, said Sheriff Joe Leko.
—Mars King, Twin Cities, 27 Jan. 2026
All detention facilities in your state should cooperate fully with ICE, honor immigration detainers, and permit ICE to interview detainees in custody to determine immigration status.
—Kyler Alvord, PEOPLE, 25 Jan. 2026
Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
More than 1,700 immigrants with active detainers were released to the streets by Illinois authorities in 2025.
—Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
People who are on ICE detainers wear a green band on their wrists.
—Jennifer Mayerle, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Homan acknowledged that the Department of Corrections had been honoring ICE detainers—requests from the federal government for information about inmates who may be subject to immigration removal proceedings.
—Toluse Olorunnipa, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2026
The Minnesota Department of Corrections has been honoring ICE detainers and cooperating with federal authorities, Homan said Thursday.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
Police said Acevedo has been released on bond, while AlarconSanchez and Derce Lara are being held on immigration detainers.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 29 Jan. 2026
At the Dakota County jail, for instance, ICE placed roughly 80 detainers last year, said Sheriff Joe Leko.
—Mars King, Twin Cities, 27 Jan. 2026
All detention facilities in your state should cooperate fully with ICE, honor immigration detainers, and permit ICE to interview detainees in custody to determine immigration status.
—Kyler Alvord, PEOPLE, 25 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detainers
Noun
-
This has led to a pattern of unlawful detentions and mass deportations, creating a climate of fear and exacerbating the 'chilling effect' for migrant communities and for international students across schools and campuses.—
Austen Erblat,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Habeas corpus petitions have been used to challenge detentions that drew national attention, including those of former Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil and Tufts University student Rumeysa Ozturk.—
Juan Carlos Chavez,
Sun Sentinel,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
While the bill doesn't include a dollar amount, DeLano said the plan is to request $50 million in appropriations later in the session.—
ALEX ROZIER Mississippi Today,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
With a shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) fast approaching, all but one Democratic Senator voted against advancing an appropriations bill to fund the department.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Baltimore leaders say that 87% of young men enrolled in Roca Baltimore for 24 months have no new incarcerations, while those who stay in the program for three years are 19% less likely to return to a life of crime than other similarly aged men in Maryland.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
4 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
This violates the 4th Amendment, which protects people (including noncitizens) from unreasonable searches and seizures in their homes.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Eclampsia Eclampsia is a severe, life-threatening complication from preeclampsia that causes seizures.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
His is the most high-profile of a series of arrests and imprisonments under a draconian National Security Law imposed by Beijing.—
Andy Browne,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Instagram-popular bridge has been the site of takeovers and taggers, arch climbers and copper-wire thieves since it was completed in July of 2022.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
School administrators are squeezed between upholding the First Amendment rights of students and caving to pressures from Texas leaders who have warned of state takeovers.—
Jessica Ma,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
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 22 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
