1
as in imprisonments
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 delays
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
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Recent Examples of detentions
This environment of mass detentions, human rights violations and secrecy has created a lucrative side business for corrupt official who prey on family members of the imprisoned.
—
Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025
Yost argued that the 2007 opinion did not take into account other types of civil detentions or agreements with federal immigration authorities.
—Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 30 Aug. 2025
His arrest came amid a wave of detentions targeting students involved in pro-Palestinian activism during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
An activist for the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Adnan protested his constant detentions by engaging in a series of hunger strikes.
—Philip Metres
august 27, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025
There are widespread reports of extrajudicial killings, psychological intimidation, unlawful detentions, torture, child kidnappings and disappearances.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2025
Until June, deportations had lagged behind immigration arrests and detentions.
—Albert Sun, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
Preparing the community is challenging when it’s consumed by the daily crises wrought by detentions and deportations, Sousa Lazaballet said.
—Gabriela Aoun Angueira, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025
While immigration detentions and other operations at the facility will continue as the legal process moves ahead, the question of who is in charge at the center is important.
—Greg Allen, NPR, 14 Aug. 2025
Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025
Yost argued that the 2007 opinion did not take into account other types of civil detentions or agreements with federal immigration authorities.
—Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 30 Aug. 2025
His arrest came amid a wave of detentions targeting students involved in pro-Palestinian activism during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
An activist for the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Adnan protested his constant detentions by engaging in a series of hunger strikes.
—Philip Metres
august 27, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025
There are widespread reports of extrajudicial killings, psychological intimidation, unlawful detentions, torture, child kidnappings and disappearances.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2025
Until June, deportations had lagged behind immigration arrests and detentions.
—Albert Sun, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
Preparing the community is challenging when it’s consumed by the daily crises wrought by detentions and deportations, Sousa Lazaballet said.
—Gabriela Aoun Angueira, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025
While immigration detentions and other operations at the facility will continue as the legal process moves ahead, the question of who is in charge at the center is important.
—Greg Allen, NPR, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detentions
Noun
-
The Cowboys are no strangers to early-season weather delays in Pennsylvania.—
Saad Yousuf,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Bieber himself was aware of the anxiety over the delays and posted a couple messages on his Instagram that there seemed to be a technical delay of some sort.—
Abid Rahman,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The incarcerations have been part of Bukele’s controversial efforts to stem the high crime rates and gang violence that have plagued the country for years.—
Michael Rios,
CNN,
17 Mar. 2025
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The Body Politic uplifts Baltimore’s relative success in decreasing the city’s homicide and violent crime rate while not increasing incarcerations or the rate of citizen-police interactions.—
Richard Fowler,
Forbes,
3 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The bus service’s long waits also caused crowding and loitering in the area, spokeswoman Pauline Haberman said at the time.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
5 Sep. 2025
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These fictional AIs tapped into our deepest worries about healthcare—long waits at the doctor's office, confusing medical information and the wish for constant health guidance.—
Sanath Chilakala,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detentions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detentions. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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