1
as in imprisonment
the state of being held in lawful custody
he's been in detention since the arrest
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in delay
an instance or period of being prevented from going about one's business
the detention at the airport security checkpoint was brief, but because he was running late, it caused him to miss his flight
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of detention
Patino spoke during the protest to articulate what his first-hand experience in an ICE detention center felt like and call on the community to stop the expansion of immigration detention.
—
Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
With $85 billion in new funding — and around $45 billion specifically earmarked for immigration detention — Immigration and Customs Enforcement is swiftly leasing warehouses and retrofitting them for detention.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 23 Mar. 2026
From 2022 to 2024, Mexican authorities greatly increased the seizure of these vehicles and the detention of migrants traveling inside them.
—ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
Since their detention, Gael’s health has deteriorated.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detention
Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
With $85 billion in new funding — and around $45 billion specifically earmarked for immigration detention — Immigration and Customs Enforcement is swiftly leasing warehouses and retrofitting them for detention.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 23 Mar. 2026
From 2022 to 2024, Mexican authorities greatly increased the seizure of these vehicles and the detention of migrants traveling inside them.
—ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
Since their detention, Gael’s health has deteriorated.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detention
Noun
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Dog theft is considered a criminal offense in China, with potential fines or imprisonment depending on the animal’s value.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Dog Theft and the Law in China Dog theft is considered a criminal offense in China, with potential fines or imprisonment depending on the animal’s value.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This time, however, travelers are already facing long lines and delays due to the ongoing partial government shutdown, which has left thousands of TSA workers without pay.—
De'Anthony Taylor,
Baltimore Sun,
28 Mar. 2026
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If there had been even a 30-second delay, Wilson might be alive, Pastor Ronald Blackwood told Wilson’s family and friends last Saturday at his funeral service at the Star of David Funeral Chapel in North Lauderdale.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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On average, detention facilities daily now hold nearly 70,000 immigrants, a scale of mass detention not seen since the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans and nationals during World War II.—
Eric Westervelt,
NPR,
23 Mar. 2026
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Many of the deposits preceded Epstein’s incarceration at MCC.—
Julie K. Brown,
Miami Herald,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Anyone who showed up after that was told the wait would be about an hour.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Mar. 2026
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This would in turn cut down the wait time as officers continue to call out of work in their second month of working without pay.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detention. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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