detainment

noun

Definition of detainmentnext
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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 detainment Allan Hancock College spokesperson Lauren Milbourne said Wednesday afternoon that the college stood by its initial statement of the incident, which said the detainment took place in Parking Lot 2 of the campus. — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026 For Cazares, detainment created a pathway that otherwise would not have been available, said Peter Meinecke, senior staff attorney at The Resurrection Project. — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026 Minnesota sought his extradition during his Texas detainment but Abbott refused to sign an extradition warrant. — ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026 However, detainments by federal agents have continued in the area. — Sabrina Franza, CBS News, 7 Sep. 2026 Hernandez’s lawyer declined to comment Thursday on his detainment. — Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026 The legislation came after Lee, Deluzio and Dean conducted visits to Moshannon Valley Processing Facility earlier this year, the Northeast's largest immigration detainment facility. — Finch Walker, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026 Xinjiang is home to many Uyghurs, a Muslim minority that the Chinese government has subjected to surveillance, forced labor and detainment in concentration camps. — Hailey Wang, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026 In June, Brittney and Cherelle opened up to PEOPLE about how Brittney’s detainment derailed their plans of starting a family. — Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detainment
  1. delay
  2. detention
  3. wait
  4. imprisonment
  5. incarceration
Noun
  • The Flames took a 3-2 lead to the third period, but when Matt Coronato was sent off for delay of game 17 seconds in, the Ducks’ red-hot power play took advantage with Carlsson tying it at 55 seconds.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
  • His departure comes as the investigation has shown signs of faltering amid a spate of staff turnovers and delays.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of delay
Noun
  • Some legal experts said prolonged detention occurs far too often, regardless of the suspect’s age.
    — Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Reporter covering religion, spirituality and meaning-making A 79-year-old Colorado pastor who lost 35 pounds and the strength to walk after being placed in immigration detention 13 months ago has been released by order of a federal magistrate judge.
    — Washington Post, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of detention
Noun
  • The horror story Americans tell about socialized medicine is the wait.
    — Mariska Breland, STAT, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Included with the vote center address is how long the current wait time is at that location.
    — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of wait
Noun
  • Douglas detailed his volatile relationship with his late father, Kirk Douglas, his son Cameron’s addiction and imprisonment, and the Stage 4 cancer diagnosis that forced him to confront his own mortality.
    — Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • For decades, Florida lawmakers have demanded investigations, indictments and imprisonment for the Cuban leadership involved.
    — Liv Caputo Herald, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of imprisonment
Noun
  • This mandated that at least 10% of locally generated, unrestricted revenue be allocated to incarceration alternatives.
    — Times staff, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
  • His government’s own hardline crackdown on gangs back home did restore peace to what was once the most violent country in the Western Hemisphere — though critics highlight his use of mass incarceration and accusations of widespread abuses.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of incarceration

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Cite this Entry

“Detainment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detainment. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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