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
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
Coggins continued by retelling the details of Estrada Juarez’s detainment and deportation, which involved her voluntarily showing up to a green card appointment with her daughter.
—Mathew Miranda
updated March 24, Sacbee.com, 24 Mar. 2026
The Parker County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Weatherford Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Criminal Investigations Division, executed a search warrant for Catron’s residence following his detainment.
—Tanya Babbar, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Mar. 2026
The Department of Homeland Security posted about the detainment on X, saying ICE agents had arrested Angelina Lopez-Jimenez and Wendy Godinez-Lopez at San Francisco International Airport.
—Noe Padilla, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Rubio, a data analyst, still has a separate habeas corpus case contesting his detainment, meaning he won’t be immediately deported.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2026
Hefets’ detainments were part of a national policy toward antisemitism, defined over decades in the shadow of the Holocaust and sharpened recently under the helm of Felix Klein, the first federal commissioner for combating antisemitism.
—Shira Li Bartov, Sun Sentinel, 9 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
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
Coggins continued by retelling the details of Estrada Juarez’s detainment and deportation, which involved her voluntarily showing up to a green card appointment with her daughter.
—Mathew Miranda
updated March 24, Sacbee.com, 24 Mar. 2026
The Parker County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Weatherford Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Criminal Investigations Division, executed a search warrant for Catron’s residence following his detainment.
—Tanya Babbar, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Mar. 2026
The Department of Homeland Security posted about the detainment on X, saying ICE agents had arrested Angelina Lopez-Jimenez and Wendy Godinez-Lopez at San Francisco International Airport.
—Noe Padilla, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Rubio, a data analyst, still has a separate habeas corpus case contesting his detainment, meaning he won’t be immediately deported.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2026
Hefets’ detainments were part of a national policy toward antisemitism, defined over decades in the shadow of the Holocaust and sharpened recently under the helm of Felix Klein, the first federal commissioner for combating antisemitism.
—Shira Li Bartov, Sun Sentinel, 9 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detainment
Noun
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But outside of the horror community and cult-movie devotees, there’s still ample misunderstanding about what Faces of Death really is — and that’s not likely to be remedied by the arrival of Daniel Goldhaber’s 2026 film, Faces of Death, now hitting theaters after a lengthy postproduction delay.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
10 Apr. 2026
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Diapers may use synthetic musks to create fragrances as well as plastics that contain chemicals such as phthalates and volatile organic compounds, which studies have linked to developmental delays, reproductive harm, endocrine system disruption and cancer.—
Kate Sequeira,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Lawyers for the environmental groups argued that the detention site is operated under an agreement with the federal government, and detainees are considered subjects of the federal government, not the state.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
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Earlier this year, officials began enforcing a nationwide ban on electronic cigarettes, with penalties that can include confiscation, fines and even detention.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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To put things in perspective, that was even longer than the wait list for tickets to Bozo’s Circus.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
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For now, their wait continues, with Jamaica’s sunny weather and Wade’s sunny disposition giving them hope.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Tasha Beamon, 48, was charged with vulnerable adult abuse and unlawful imprisonment.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The co-conspirator was sentenced to two years imprisonment for his involvement in Schiller's kidnapping and Jorge Delgado got 15.—
Troy Roberts,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Lorincz spoke out for the first time since her arrest, conviction and incarceration in a September 2025 interview with the local ABC affiliate WCJB.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
7 Apr. 2026
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As part of his plea deal, Epstein was allowed to spend the majority of his incarceration working out of the plush personal office, returning to the county jail each night.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detainment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detainment. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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