1
as in delays
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 imprisonments
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 detainments
The group’s first stop was at the rear entrance of the John Moss Federal Building along N Street, where there have been ongoing protests related to reported immigration detainments within the building.
—
Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 12 Dec. 2025
From unmarked military-style vehicles to detainments that more closely resemble kidnappings, Californians are rightly concerned that federal agents may be crossing the line and abusing their authority.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2025
Videos of arrests and detainments circulated on social media.
—Jonathan J. Cooper, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2025
The leadership change comes as CoreCivic and GEO Group - the country's two largest private prison systems - have reported significant profits amid the sharp rise in immigration arrests and detainments.
—Kelly Puente, Nashville Tennessean, 19 Aug. 2025
Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 12 Dec. 2025
From unmarked military-style vehicles to detainments that more closely resemble kidnappings, Californians are rightly concerned that federal agents may be crossing the line and abusing their authority.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2025
Videos of arrests and detainments circulated on social media.
—Jonathan J. Cooper, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2025
The leadership change comes as CoreCivic and GEO Group - the country's two largest private prison systems - have reported significant profits amid the sharp rise in immigration arrests and detainments.
—Kelly Puente, Nashville Tennessean, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detainments
Noun
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Meanwhile, a stylist has had to cancel his own honeymoon due to delays in the tour, indicating both slavish, life-altering devotion to the British pop star in her coterie, but also her obliviousness to such things going on.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
24 Jan. 2026
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American Airlines accounts for most of the cancellations and delays, with 940 cancellations and 275 delays.—
Matt Nighswander,
NBC news,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
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While much of her early music didn’t delve into politics, her widespread influence and affiliation with the Shah resulted in brief imprisonments, interrogations, confiscations and, most permanently, a ban on singing and performing in Iran.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Riders should expect fewer trains, longer waits and delays across the system.—
Elijah Westbrook,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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During a winter storm last January, TSA in Atlanta saw major staffing callouts that cascaded into hourslong security waits as some officers were not able to safely get to work.—
Savannah Sicurella,
AJC.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The greatest consequences of the public health hazard of immigration enforcement will fall on communities targeted by discriminatory policing, arrests, detentions, deportations, and violence.—
Patrick Smith,
STAT,
27 Jan. 2026
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Avon Police Chief Greg Daly told the Vail Daily that ICE had confirmed seven arrests and detentions carried out Wednesday morning near Eagle-Vail.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Despite their felony convictions and impending incarcerations, both former Met police career criminals continue to collect their monthly kisses in the mail — $8,850 a month for Cederquist and $6,020 for Butner.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
4 Jan. 2026
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Baltimore leaders say that 87% of young men enrolled in Roca Baltimore for 24 months have no new incarcerations, while those who stay in the program for three years are 19% less likely to return to a life of crime than other similarly aged men in Maryland.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
4 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detainments.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detainments. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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