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
Rosen said that the federal government is disputing that Riky had $100 and a nail gun on him at the time of detainment, but said that DHS will still reimburse him based on Riky's account.
—
Conor Wight, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
Other community members support ICE’s detainment of immigrants who do not have documentation as they are released from jail.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
Kim is the executive director of Minnesota Voice, a progressive nonprofit dedicated to voter registration, civic engagement and training community organizers, and took a visible role organizing against Immigration end Customs Enforcement detainments during Operation Metro Surge.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 4 Mar. 2026
Thursday afternoon was the first time Duque heard from Oscar since their last phone call a few hours after his detainment.
—Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2026
The singer’s tour stop in Minnesota doubled as a benefit concert for Minneapolis nonprofit The Advocates for Human Rights, which has been working to support families affected by ICE’s arrests, detainments and deportations in the city.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 23 Feb. 2026
Many of the students who have participated in school walkouts have cited deep personal concerns about how ICE's operations could result in wrongful detainments or violence in their communities.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 19 Feb. 2026
The Lawrence Police Department did not confirm the detainments.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 17 Feb. 2026
Following the January detainment of parents in Ypsilanti, community fear over ICE enforcement is growing in the city.
—Beki San Martin, Freep.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Conor Wight, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
Other community members support ICE’s detainment of immigrants who do not have documentation as they are released from jail.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
Kim is the executive director of Minnesota Voice, a progressive nonprofit dedicated to voter registration, civic engagement and training community organizers, and took a visible role organizing against Immigration end Customs Enforcement detainments during Operation Metro Surge.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 4 Mar. 2026
Thursday afternoon was the first time Duque heard from Oscar since their last phone call a few hours after his detainment.
—Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2026
The singer’s tour stop in Minnesota doubled as a benefit concert for Minneapolis nonprofit The Advocates for Human Rights, which has been working to support families affected by ICE’s arrests, detainments and deportations in the city.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 23 Feb. 2026
Many of the students who have participated in school walkouts have cited deep personal concerns about how ICE's operations could result in wrongful detainments or violence in their communities.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 19 Feb. 2026
The Lawrence Police Department did not confirm the detainments.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 17 Feb. 2026
Following the January detainment of parents in Ypsilanti, community fear over ICE enforcement is growing in the city.
—Beki San Martin, Freep.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detainment
Noun
-
This delay meant that, as guests waited for the ceremony to begin, the sun had set and candles had to be lit inside the church.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Motorists should anticipate delays, plan ahead and choose alternate routes.—
Holly Andres,
Daily News,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown is asking a federal court to immediately stop any construction or renovation of a warehouse that is being converted into an immigration detention facility near Hagerstown, Maryland.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Open positions include detention officer, recreation supervisor, certified medical assistant, psychiatrist, shift supervisor, assistant shift supervisor, master scheduler, locksmith, maintenance worker and human resource assistant.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The partial government shutdown has caused lengthy wait times for travelers at some airport security checkpoints where the Transportation Security Administration is short-staffed.—
Kelly McCarthy,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
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Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport said Monday TSA waits can extend up to two hours and advised passengers to arrive at least three hours before their flight.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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International human rights observers have long criticized his arrest, trial, and imprisonment.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Mar. 2026
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Senegal has joined countries like Kenya, Sierra Leone, and Tanzania, where penalties can include 10 or more years of imprisonment.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The act requires that savings from reduced incarceration be directed toward victim services, community corrections and programs that support community reintegration for people who’ve been released from prison.—
Mara H. Gottfried,
Twin Cities,
10 Mar. 2026
-
But his six years of incarceration had failed to inspire any genuine contrition.—
Maer Roshan,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detainment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detainment. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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