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
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Recent Examples of detentions
Legal experts and judges have voiced concern over the legal basis for such detentions.
—
Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
As immigrant arrests and detentions have increased, more and more detainees in Aurora’s detention center are being ordered to leave the country — either at their own request or under a removal order issued by a judge.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
Attendees voiced opposition to Trump's immigration detentions, his effort to redraw Indiana's congressional boundaries to favor Republicans and what protesters view as attacks on free speech.
—Tony Cook, IndyStar, 18 Oct. 2025
Among the detentions in which allegations have not stuck, masked agents pointed a gun at, pepper sprayed and punched a young man who had filmed them searching for his relative.
—Nicole Foy, ProPublica, 18 Oct. 2025
Whatever the state gathers—whether the innocuous, the personal, or the intensely political—could in turn be used for arrests, detentions, fines, disappearances, and much worse.
—Justin Sherman, The Atlantic, 11 Oct. 2025
No new entities have been added to the list, and CBP’s detentions have fallen.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 9 Oct. 2025
The law has defined counterterrorism policy for decades and served as the legal backdrop of policies like torture, detentions at Guantanamo Bay and warrantless surveillance programs.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 9 Oct. 2025
While global attention has focused on foreign business sentiment toward operating in China, the detentions are contributing to a worsening corporate atmosphere among Chinese companies.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
As immigrant arrests and detentions have increased, more and more detainees in Aurora’s detention center are being ordered to leave the country — either at their own request or under a removal order issued by a judge.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
Attendees voiced opposition to Trump's immigration detentions, his effort to redraw Indiana's congressional boundaries to favor Republicans and what protesters view as attacks on free speech.
—Tony Cook, IndyStar, 18 Oct. 2025
Among the detentions in which allegations have not stuck, masked agents pointed a gun at, pepper sprayed and punched a young man who had filmed them searching for his relative.
—Nicole Foy, ProPublica, 18 Oct. 2025
Whatever the state gathers—whether the innocuous, the personal, or the intensely political—could in turn be used for arrests, detentions, fines, disappearances, and much worse.
—Justin Sherman, The Atlantic, 11 Oct. 2025
No new entities have been added to the list, and CBP’s detentions have fallen.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 9 Oct. 2025
The law has defined counterterrorism policy for decades and served as the legal backdrop of policies like torture, detentions at Guantanamo Bay and warrantless surveillance programs.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 9 Oct. 2025
While global attention has focused on foreign business sentiment toward operating in China, the detentions are contributing to a worsening corporate atmosphere among Chinese companies.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detentions
Noun
-
On Friday evening, airports in Phoenix, Houston and San Diego were reporting delays because of staffing issues, and the Federal Aviation Administration warned that staffing problems were also possible at airports in the New York area, Dallas and Philadelphia.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Advertisement While the commercial supply of goods has improved since the cease-fire deal, the flow of humanitarian aid continues to be marred by bureaucracy, delays, and blockages.—
Anna Halford,
Time,
25 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
-
Although crowding issues have improved since American Express restricted Centurion guest access, there are often still long waits.—
Lori Zaino,
CNBC,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Walz’s office said that could lead to longer waits for reimbursements.—
Alex Derosier,
Twin Cities,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detentions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detentions. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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