1
as in imprisonment
the state of being held in lawful custody
he's been in detention since the arrest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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 detention
Inside Krome, hold rooms are significantly less equipped for long stays than the main detention areas, which have beds, showers and other infrastructure.
—
Isabelle Chapman, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
The treaty aims to prevent mistreatment and gave the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture the legal authority to inspect Russian detention facilities.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Moshkovich has denied the charges and no one seems to know who among his detractors was behind his detention.
—Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 8 Sep. 2025
But the detentions have already spooked foreign investors.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detention
Isabelle Chapman, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
The treaty aims to prevent mistreatment and gave the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture the legal authority to inspect Russian detention facilities.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Moshkovich has denied the charges and no one seems to know who among his detractors was behind his detention.
—Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 8 Sep. 2025
But the detentions have already spooked foreign investors.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detention
Noun
-
Vogel also advocated for the passage of legislation that eventually acknowledged the injustice of the exile and imprisonment and provided a payment of $20,000 to Japanese American camp survivors.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Sep. 2025
-
But even the women who, before, had spouses and children and worked as shop assistants and typists and factory workers cannot quite name the circumstances of their imprisonment.—
Carmen Maria Machado,
New Yorker,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Colleyville Heritage defeated Richland 30-21 in a game halted early in the third quarter after a second lightning delay Friday at Mustang-Panther Stadium.—
Jordan Neal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Fans booed the delay from the stands at the Johan Cruyff Stadium.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Transporting immigrants just released from incarceration helped solve a problem for ICE.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The new episode will also chronicle Syed’s personal journey from incarceration to freedom, and his eventual reunion with family after 23 years behind bars.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
That’s when Kenel abandoned his cart, exited to the store and lay in wait for the couple in the parking lot, officials said.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
-
After filing, the tort claim process requires a 120-day wait period before any further legal action can happen.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detention. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share