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
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Recent Examples of detainment
Marrero said his husband’s identification was taken during his detainment and was not returned.
—
Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 6 May 2026
Anxiety is high among stadium workers, who are concerned about the threat of ICE detainment, regardless of their immigration status.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Juan and Donovan’s relationship was interrupted by his detainment early on, so their evidence wasn’t as easy.
—Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026
Schlenker says the initial detainment has turned into a months-long legal battle overseas and there is no clear sign of returning home.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
Among them are fears of border detainment and gun violence.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026
Immigration sweeps peaked in Orange County’s most populous city last summer with at least 30 detainments between mid-June and mid-September, including when federal officers descended several times on car washes and a Home Depot, ending in several deportations.
—Victoria Le, Oc Register, 14 Apr. 2026
Her supporters, including Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison, a family friend, decried her alleged detainment, and her story sparked outcry and protests.
—Victor Jacobo, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
His detainment followed interim President Delcy Rodríguez’s decision to elevate the agency’s longtime chief to defense minister.
—Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 26 Mar. 2026
Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 6 May 2026
Anxiety is high among stadium workers, who are concerned about the threat of ICE detainment, regardless of their immigration status.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Juan and Donovan’s relationship was interrupted by his detainment early on, so their evidence wasn’t as easy.
—Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026
Schlenker says the initial detainment has turned into a months-long legal battle overseas and there is no clear sign of returning home.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
Among them are fears of border detainment and gun violence.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026
Immigration sweeps peaked in Orange County’s most populous city last summer with at least 30 detainments between mid-June and mid-September, including when federal officers descended several times on car washes and a Home Depot, ending in several deportations.
—Victoria Le, Oc Register, 14 Apr. 2026
Her supporters, including Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison, a family friend, decried her alleged detainment, and her story sparked outcry and protests.
—Victor Jacobo, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
His detainment followed interim President Delcy Rodríguez’s decision to elevate the agency’s longtime chief to defense minister.
—Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detainment
Noun
-
The delays in filling housing through the city’s lottery have knock-on effects beyond the apartments not going quickly to the people who need them.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
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Consumers can track a package or rideshare driver in real time, yet hospitals still struggle to reliably exchange imaging studies, authorization records and clinical documentation without delays, duplication or manual intervention.—
Demetri Giannikopoulos,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Noun
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Dalila Santiago, a close friend and leader in López’s movement, said after rampant impunity in Honduras, Fúnez’s detention came as a shock.—
Marlon González,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
-
Taylor denied medical care, food during detention For the first time, Taylor described conditions inside the Stewart Detention Center in his own words.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Days like Monday made the wait well worth it for Popp.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
12 May 2026
-
For the first time, the Red Sox utilized a wait list for a promo night before tickets went on sale, boosting the buzz.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
This personal and profound odyssey follows basketball star Brittney Griner from her playing career and harrowing imprisonment in Russia through the extraordinary geopolitical battle to secure her freedom.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
14 May 2026
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The Chinese natives are currently incarcerated at the Ventura County Main Jail and the Todd Road Jail, respectively, and face up to four years’ imprisonment followed by two years of probation.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
The Alternative Programs offers no-cash-bail alternatives to incarceration for youth and adult non-violent offenders in South Florida.—
Najahe Sherman,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
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Such families are common in Appalachia, where poverty and incarceration rates are high, and the effects of the opioid crisis linger across successive generations.—
Casey Cep,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detainment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detainment. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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