Synonyms of detentions

detentions

noun

plural of detention

1

as in imprisonments

the state of being held in lawful custody

he's been in detention since the arrest

Synonyms & Similar Words

• imprisonments
• incarcerations
• captivities
• detainments
• internments
• detainers
• confinements
• arrests
• seizures
• apprehensions
• restraints
• holds
• immurements
• collars
• pinches
• entrapments
• captures
• arrestments
• busts
• enchainments

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discharges
• releases
• freedoms
• liberations
• emancipations

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

• delays
• waits
• detainments
• holdups
• postponements
• pauses
• respites
• deferrals
• deferments
• holding patterns
• hesitations
• setbacks
• holdbacks
• lags
• slowdowns
• reprieves
• foot-draggings

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rushes
• dispatches
• hastes
• promptitudes

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of detentions

Operation Midway Blitz saw a significant rise in the average daily number of detentions. — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026

Vucic has pushed hard against the protesters as the government faced international criticism over police violence and arbitrary detentions of demonstrators. — ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026

Among the detentions are more than 7,000 arrests in Florida and 500 in Ohio, two states with populations of Haitians who previously had TPS. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026

In 2025, the total jumped to at least 39 arrests, and that number is dwarfed by at least 77 detentions at airports just in July of 2026. — Shimon Prokupecz, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

That is consistent with recent data released showing that an increasing percentage of all ICE detentions involve people with no criminal record or charges. — Mario Ariza, ProPublica, 27 Aug. 2026

There has been backlash to the detentions, which come despite programs for military members that can sometimes offer immediate family protection from deportation. — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 24 Aug. 2026

Among suggested changes are expanding voting rights and ending ICE detentions and deportations. — Gary Franks, Hartford Courant, 24 Aug. 2026

According to Human Rights Watch, Taliban security forces responded with beatings, shots into the crowd, detentions of protesters, and the killing of at least one boy. — Rina Amiri, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026