detainment

noun

Definition of detainmentnext
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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of detainment Hernandez’s lawyer declined to comment Thursday on his detainment. — Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026 Reporters from Noozhawk and KEYT were among those detained, and both outlets published articles detailing the detainment. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026 The legislation came after Lee, Deluzio and Dean conducted visits to Moshannon Valley Processing Facility earlier this year, the Northeast's largest immigration detainment facility. — Finch Walker, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026 Xinjiang is home to many Uyghurs, a Muslim minority that the Chinese government has subjected to surveillance, forced labor and detainment in concentration camps. — Hailey Wang, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026 In June, Brittney and Cherelle opened up to PEOPLE about how Brittney’s detainment derailed their plans of starting a family. — Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026 Forbes removed Prince Alwaleed from its billionaire ranks in 2018 following his monthslong detainment by the Saudi government in 2017, before he and other Saudis were included again in 2025. — Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 Chicagoans blew whistles and filmed detainments while immigration agents patrolled neighborhoods with military-grade weapons as part of Operation Midway Blitz. — Alex Poppe, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026 Deputies said Appleberry resisted arrest and later spit blood on medical personnel as he was being treated in detainment. — Sacbee.com, 8 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detainment
  1. delay
  2. detention
  3. wait
  4. imprisonment
  5. incarceration
Noun
  • The watchdog warned that shipyard delays are expected to keep more submarines idle through 2030, creating additional costs and reducing the fleet’s operational capacity.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Due to high traffic, the website is experiencing some technical delays.
    — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of delay
Noun
  • One of the hardest days After being detained at the border and months in ICE detention, Nika had briefly been allowed to live freely in California.
    — Mick Krever, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Authorities said the suspect will face charges at a detention hearing Monday morning at the Santa Clara County Juvenile Justice Courthouse in downtown San Jose.
    — Jason Green, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of detention
Noun
  • The second-hand market, while lacking the personal touch some owners covet, can deliver the same craftsmanship as a new build without the years-long wait—or exorbitant price tag.
    — Dea Jusufi, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The Navy plans to use Pasadena as a training platform during the wait.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of wait
Noun
  • Habeas corpus cases are challenges in federal court of detention or imprisonment.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
  • He was forced into exile for expressing and publishing his beliefs and endured imprisonment and torture.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of imprisonment
Noun
  • Since my incarceration nearly six months ago, my metamorphosis has accelerated with new meaning.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Simply having charges filed can mean a job loss, losing custody of kids, incarceration for months or years waiting for a trial, financial hardship and stigma.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of incarceration

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detainment
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Cite this Entry

“Detainment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detainment. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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