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
At a detention hearing on April 24, a federal judge released McIntire into house arrest ahead of his May 1 trial.
—
Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 1 May 2025
Widespread reports reveal that ICE agents are targeting these students and throwing them into detention.
—Susan Thomas, Time, 29 Apr. 2025
He was released from pre-trial detention in 2022 for health reasons.
—Sandra Gonzalez, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2025
In a rare weekend ruling, Supreme Court justices blocked the Trump administration's plans to deport a group of Venezuelans held at a detention facility in Texas.
—CBS News, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detention
Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 1 May 2025
Widespread reports reveal that ICE agents are targeting these students and throwing them into detention.
—Susan Thomas, Time, 29 Apr. 2025
He was released from pre-trial detention in 2022 for health reasons.
—Sandra Gonzalez, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2025
In a rare weekend ruling, Supreme Court justices blocked the Trump administration's plans to deport a group of Venezuelans held at a detention facility in Texas.
—CBS News, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detention
Noun
-
The delay in these markup hearings leaves little time for passage.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
1 May 2025
-
But every year the U.S. delays, the window narrows.—
Javier Hasse,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
Noun
-
Despite participation, many youth continue to experience homelessness, incarceration, and mental health challenges.—
First Place for Youth,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
-
Punishments for disobeying contempt orders can range from fines to jail time, though incarceration is a rare and extreme recourse.—
Henry Gass,
Christian Science Monitor,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Results are shared through an online portal, removing long wait times or the need to return to the hospital.—
Jennifer Lotito,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Weekend two of Coachella is here — along with wait times.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detention. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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