1
as in delay
an instance or period of being prevented from going about one's business
the returning vacationers' detainment at the border only lasted a few minutes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in detention
the state of being held in lawful custody
she'll be kept in detainment until the trial if she can't post bail
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detainment
Noun
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The delay, prompted by an issue with the launchpad’s ground system, further hindered the return of the two NASA astronauts who in June flew to the space station aboard the troubled Starliner.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA TODAY,
14 Mar. 2025 -
Many brands still use spreadsheets, emails and phone calls to manage some aspects of logistics, leading to inefficiencies and delays.—
Andre Claudio,
Sourcing Journal,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Policies such as Saudi Arabia’s military intervention in Yemen, its blockade of Qatar, the detention of Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad Hariri and the conversion of the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh into a makeshift prison all fed an image of the young prince as an impulsive decision-maker.—
Kristian Coates Ulrichsen,
The Conversation,
14 Mar. 2025
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Trump administration brings back family detention of migrants.—
Domenico Montanaro,
NPR,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Even Millie Bobby Brown, in a joke interview with her 2024 self, mentioned the long wait.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
18 Mar. 2025
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That goal looked to be within touching distance as six birdies saw Walker arrive at the 17th tee on Friday at four-under par for the second round, only for two closing bogeys to bring on an anxious wait to see if one-under par overall would be enough to squeeze through.—
Jack Bantock,
CNN,
15 Mar. 2025
Noun
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My experience with Colorado law tells me this legislation will benefit both public safety and justice by ensuring that our law enforcement resources and taxpayer dollars are not wasted on unnecessary incarceration.—
Jay Fisher,
The Denver Post,
13 Mar. 2025
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One of the key purposes of incarceration—aside from accountability—is to prepare individuals for their return to society.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
12 Mar. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Detainment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detainment. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
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