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 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
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
The Minnesota Immigration Rights Action Committee is a grassroots organization that organizes protests and gathers resources for families affected by ICE raids, detainments and deportations.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
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
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
The Minnesota Immigration Rights Action Committee is a grassroots organization that organizes protests and gathers resources for families affected by ICE raids, detainments and deportations.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detainments
Noun
-
Yet the buyback program has suffered yearslong delays and pushback from police, provincial officials and gun owners.—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Travelers with airline reservations may be nervously recalling a 43-day government shutdown that led to historic flight cancellations and long delays last year.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Back on opening day of the ride, all went well for a couple of hours, then stoppages led to 300-minute waits.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
18 Feb. 2026
-
But on Monday, attendance was strong, with the NPS reporting overflowing parking lots and long waits for shuttle services.—
Danielle Kaeding,
Twin Cities,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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This has led to a pattern of unlawful detentions and mass deportations, creating a climate of fear and exacerbating the 'chilling effect' for migrant communities and for international students across schools and campuses.—
Austen Erblat,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
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Habeas corpus petitions have been used to challenge detentions that drew national attention, including those of former Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil and Tufts University student Rumeysa Ozturk.—
Juan Carlos Chavez,
Sun Sentinel,
18 Feb. 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 21 Feb. 2026.
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