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
Federal authorities have pointed to past convictions on charges of assault and unlawful possession of a firearm that resulted in him losing his green card as the justification for his detainment.
—
MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Federal agents and agencies face lawsuits, including from a Chicago City Council member following her brief detainment at a hospital, and an ongoing case over accusations that agents have violated limits on how ICE can make arrests without warrants and during traffic stops.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
Right now, any contact with local or state law enforcement puts you at risk of detainment and deportation.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 21 Oct. 2025
Since the boy's detainment, members in the community and local leaders have sparked outrage, demanding for his release.
—Megan Forrester, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2025
Thomas, who lives in the area and witnessed the detainment, recalled the scene to WGN-TV.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
This year has been nothing short of horrific for our country’s Latine population, thanks to the current administration’s anti-immigration legislation and numerous, often-violent ICE raids, resulting in mass deportations and detainment (sometimes among legal residents and citizens).
—Sofía Viera, Allure, 10 Oct. 2025
The Carrillo Law Firm, which shared the claim with McClatchy News, and the Law Offices of Christian Contreras are challenging his detainment, arguing ICE and Border Patrol violated his civil rights.
—Julia Marnin, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2025
MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Federal agents and agencies face lawsuits, including from a Chicago City Council member following her brief detainment at a hospital, and an ongoing case over accusations that agents have violated limits on how ICE can make arrests without warrants and during traffic stops.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
Right now, any contact with local or state law enforcement puts you at risk of detainment and deportation.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 21 Oct. 2025
Since the boy's detainment, members in the community and local leaders have sparked outrage, demanding for his release.
—Megan Forrester, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2025
Thomas, who lives in the area and witnessed the detainment, recalled the scene to WGN-TV.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
This year has been nothing short of horrific for our country’s Latine population, thanks to the current administration’s anti-immigration legislation and numerous, often-violent ICE raids, resulting in mass deportations and detainment (sometimes among legal residents and citizens).
—Sofía Viera, Allure, 10 Oct. 2025
The Carrillo Law Firm, which shared the claim with McClatchy News, and the Law Offices of Christian Contreras are challenging his detainment, arguing ICE and Border Patrol violated his civil rights.
—Julia Marnin, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detainment
Noun
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Flyers should try to mitigate any headaches from delays and cancellations by avoiding booking flights with layovers, the non-profit US Public Interest Research Group says, and opt to make reservations directly with the airline rather than a third-party website.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
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Carriers are required to refund customers whose flights are canceled but not to cover costs such as food and hotels unless a delay or cancellation results from a factor within the control of the airlines, according to the Department of Transportation.—
JOSH FUNK,
Arkansas Online,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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New Delhi’s support enabled Hasina to undermine democratic institutions, politicize the judiciary and Election Commission, and enforce repressive laws such as the Digital Security Act, which limited free speech online and allowed arbitrary arrests and detentions of opponents of the regime.—
MUHIB RAHMAN,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Nov. 2025
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Protesters demonstrating against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, arrests, and detention conditions have at times clashed with law enforcement.—
Dan Gooding,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Get live security wait times, so you’re not stuck in a five‑hour shuffle line that’s already happening.—
The Kim Komando Show,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
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While orders come with a four to seven week wait time, the process is highly personalized.—
Andre Claudio,
Sourcing Journal,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The charges carry a maximum penalty of 68 months’ imprisonment and $200,000 in fines.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
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Was Hsieh’s self-imprisonment a statement on mass incarceration or prison reform?—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The mass arrests in 1909 are an early example of police tactics that contribute to the disproportionate incarceration of Black people, a trend that continues today.—
Equal Justice Initiative,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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Kitzing’s brother wrote to them throughout their incarceration, according to historical records.—
Kate Sosin,
Them.,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detainment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detainment. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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