DETAINMENTS Synonyms: 45 Similar and Opposite Words

detainments

noun

plural of detainment

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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 detainments Although Saetern’s official cause of death was cocaine, Obayashi still considers deaths that happen after people go unconscious during detainments as in-custody deaths. — Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 21 Sep. 2026 However, detainments by federal agents have continued in the area. — Sabrina Franza, CBS News, 7 Sep. 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 Immigration sweeps peaked in Orange County’s most populous city last summer with at least 30 detainments between mid-June and mid-September, including when federal officers descended several times on car washes and a Home Depot, ending in several deportations. — Victoria Le, Oc Register, 14 Apr. 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 Kim is the executive director of Minnesota Voice, a progressive nonprofit dedicated to voter registration, civic engagement and training community organizers, and took a visible role organizing against Immigration end Customs Enforcement detainments during Operation Metro Surge. — Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 4 Mar. 2026 The singer’s tour stop in Minnesota doubled as a benefit concert for Minneapolis nonprofit The Advocates for Human Rights, which has been working to support families affected by ICE’s arrests, detainments and deportations in the city. — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 23 Feb. 2026 Many of the students who have participated in school walkouts have cited deep personal concerns about how ICE's operations could result in wrongful detainments or violence in their communities. — Cate Charron, IndyStar, 19 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for detainments

Noun

Public opposition has already impacted around $42 billion of data center investments in Europe, in account delays and cancellations, according to research from STL Partners.

— April Roach,Jenny Lee, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026
However, delays in actual delivery have meant that only the first batch has been delivered this year.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of delays

Noun

Now his mass deportations have created trauma and chaos in our communities, including unpredictable arrests, imprisonments, deportations and deaths.

— Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 20 Sep. 2026
After this, there will be a lot of going back and forth across the Channel; crimes of the aristocracy; Darnay’s own Big Secret revealed; more trials, more imprisonments.

— Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of imprisonments

Noun

Instead, that would have to wait a few months longer, after a gantlet of inspections that included long waits was finally finished.

— Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 29 Sep. 2026
The need to be liked makes brands write polished statements aimed at everyone watching while the person actually affected waits.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of waits

Noun

Rights and media freedom groups have separately warned of police violence, arbitrary detentions, unauthorized surveillance and threats against journalists.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Though homosexuality is legal in Turkey, authorities have carried out coordinated raids targeting LGBTQ advocacy organizations and activists across multiple cities, leading to mass arrests and detentions.

— Mick Krever, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of detentions

Noun

Part of the Measure J mandate passed by voters in 2020 is to reduce incarcerations by adding more interdictions by substance abuse and mental health counselors, when there’s no weapon involved or violent threat.

— Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 11 Aug. 2026
One 2025 study found that these waivers may be tied to fewer hospitalizations, emergency department visits, and incarcerations among adults with serious mental illness.

— Helen Santoro, Denver Post, 29 June 2026

Definition of incarcerations

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“Detainments.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detainments. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of detainments

noun

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