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
Even though the state’s adult-use market kicked off two years ago, distribution has been like a minefield, with drivers facing detainment from Border Patrol officers.
—
Benjamin Adams, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 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
The arrest followed Knox’s detainment by Italian police for questioning — an interrogation that lasted 53 hours over five days without legal counsel or an interpreter present and led to Knox eventually signing a confession that put her at the crime scene and implicated Lumumba.
—Alyssa Davis, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Shin's attorney, Adam Crayk, told ABC4 that the detainment stems from a 2020 impaired driving conviction.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
The View additionally came under fire from political figures in recent weeks, especially after Navarro voiced opposition to people making a tourist spectacle out of the Alligator Alcatraz detainment centers in Florida.
—EW.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Videos of arrests and detainments circulated on social media.
—Jonathan J. Cooper, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2025
Others have been subject to detainment by federal immigration forces leading sting operations in and around the nation’s capital.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 21 Aug. 2025
Opinions on the use of Fort Bliss for immigrant detainment have generally fallen along party lines.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 19 Aug. 2025
Benjamin Adams, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 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
The arrest followed Knox’s detainment by Italian police for questioning — an interrogation that lasted 53 hours over five days without legal counsel or an interpreter present and led to Knox eventually signing a confession that put her at the crime scene and implicated Lumumba.
—Alyssa Davis, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Shin's attorney, Adam Crayk, told ABC4 that the detainment stems from a 2020 impaired driving conviction.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
The View additionally came under fire from political figures in recent weeks, especially after Navarro voiced opposition to people making a tourist spectacle out of the Alligator Alcatraz detainment centers in Florida.
—EW.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Videos of arrests and detainments circulated on social media.
—Jonathan J. Cooper, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2025
Others have been subject to detainment by federal immigration forces leading sting operations in and around the nation’s capital.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 21 Aug. 2025
Opinions on the use of Fort Bliss for immigrant detainment have generally fallen along party lines.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detainment
Noun
-
Colleyville Heritage defeated Richland 30-21 in a game halted early in the third quarter after a second lightning delay Friday at Mustang-Panther Stadium.—
Jordan Neal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Fans booed the delay from the stands at the Johan Cruyff Stadium.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Since the start of the fiscal year in October, at least 13 people have died in immigration detention.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
-
During a detention hearing Monday, Cook County Judge Susana Ortiz released Korosa pending his next court appearance, according to court records.—
Christy Gutowski,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
That’s when Kenel abandoned his cart, exited to the store and lay in wait for the couple in the parking lot, officials said.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
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After filing, the tort claim process requires a 120-day wait period before any further legal action can happen.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Vogel also advocated for the passage of legislation that eventually acknowledged the injustice of the exile and imprisonment and provided a payment of $20,000 to Japanese American camp survivors.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Sep. 2025
-
But even the women who, before, had spouses and children and worked as shop assistants and typists and factory workers cannot quite name the circumstances of their imprisonment.—
Carmen Maria Machado,
New Yorker,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Transporting immigrants just released from incarceration helped solve a problem for ICE.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
4 Sep. 2025
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The new episode will also chronicle Syed’s personal journey from incarceration to freedom, and his eventual reunion with family after 23 years behind bars.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detainment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detainment. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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