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
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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
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
The Lawrence Police Department did not confirm the detainments.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 17 Feb. 2026
The detainments have broadly affected the staff and students in her district.
—Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
The Statesman has reached out to Hays County, Buda and Kyle officials for information on any other potential detainments.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 15 Jan. 2026
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
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
The Lawrence Police Department did not confirm the detainments.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 17 Feb. 2026
The detainments have broadly affected the staff and students in her district.
—Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
The Statesman has reached out to Hays County, Buda and Kyle officials for information on any other potential detainments.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 15 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detainments
Noun
-
The insurer has come under heavy criticism from fire victims over its handling of claims, including complaints of low payout offers, denials for toxin testing and delays in payments for living expenses.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
-
For public transit, confirm that service runs frequently and late enough to accommodate potential delays.—
Abby Price,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Lusverti added that the list of beneficiaries fails to cover key periods of arbitrary detentions, including cases between 2020 and 2024, and raised concerns that the same courts that ordered the imprisonments are now responsible for administering the amnesty.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2026
-
His is the most high-profile of a series of arrests and imprisonments under a draconian National Security Law imposed by Beijing.—
Andy Browne,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
About a third of the Republican polling places have over 30-minute waits.—
Rachel Royster
Updated March 3,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Local spots right near the venue might have shorter waits and easier parking than driving to Wynwood or Miami Beach before the game starts.—
Taylor Haught,
Miami Herald,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Between January 2025 and March 2, immigrants have filed 24,403 challenges against their detentions, according to nonprofit newsroom ProPublica, which is tracking the historic rise in filings.—
Bridget Fogarty,
jsonline.com,
3 Mar. 2026
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Overturning years of precedent, immigration authorities have arrested or questioned dozens of refugees in Minnesota, attorneys and advocates say, with more detentions likely to come nationwide.—
Gisela Salomon,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
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 12 Mar. 2026.
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