1
as in imprisonments
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 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
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 detentions
Zanardi’s statement provides a glimpse into the way detentions have been conducted as well as the powerful degradation of trust in the system that has led up to two-thirds of immigrants scheduled for hearings to skip them in fear of arrest.
—
Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2025
The recent wave of detentions appears to conflict with federal protections granted under TPS, which is specifically designed to shield eligible Venezuelan nationals from deportation due to unsafe conditions in their home country.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
Historically, security at ICE facilities has been about protecting agents and detainees from internal threats like detainee aggression, or gang violence, mimicking the criminal justice system, according to experts, ICE detentions standards and the detainee handbook.
—Rick Jervis, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
While some said that detentions and deportations should focus on those who have committed crimes, others advocated such actions for all with an undocumented immigration status.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Sep. 2025
The analysis does not include arrests that did not result in detentions.
—Eva Wen, jsonline.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Immigration arrests rose statewide throughout the summer and increasingly have resulted in detentions of people with no prior criminal convictions, The Denver Post reported recently.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 19 Sep. 2025
Both sides have also carried out arbitrary detentions, with SAF interrogating and beating dozens of Christians in 2024 and 2025.
—Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Many fear the detentions could have a chilling effect on any business thinking of striking a deal on US soil.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2025
The recent wave of detentions appears to conflict with federal protections granted under TPS, which is specifically designed to shield eligible Venezuelan nationals from deportation due to unsafe conditions in their home country.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
Historically, security at ICE facilities has been about protecting agents and detainees from internal threats like detainee aggression, or gang violence, mimicking the criminal justice system, according to experts, ICE detentions standards and the detainee handbook.
—Rick Jervis, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
While some said that detentions and deportations should focus on those who have committed crimes, others advocated such actions for all with an undocumented immigration status.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Sep. 2025
The analysis does not include arrests that did not result in detentions.
—Eva Wen, jsonline.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Immigration arrests rose statewide throughout the summer and increasingly have resulted in detentions of people with no prior criminal convictions, The Denver Post reported recently.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 19 Sep. 2025
Both sides have also carried out arbitrary detentions, with SAF interrogating and beating dozens of Christians in 2024 and 2025.
—Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Many fear the detentions could have a chilling effect on any business thinking of striking a deal on US soil.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detentions
Noun
-
However, with the Internal Revenue Service impacted, some mortgage approvals could face major delays, according to the National Association of Homebuilders.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
-
As a result, service delays are likely, labor unions warn.—
Sarah Moreno,
Miami Herald,
3 Oct. 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
-
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
-
Highlights Ultimate Puzzle Challenge Screen-free entertainment saves the day during long waits, flight delays, or times when devices need charging.—
Gabriela Garcia,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Turner said the responses for Idaho 55 accidents take up the bulk of local emergency resources, leading to waits for Boise County residents.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detentions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detentions. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share