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
No arrests, detentions or altercations with police were reported.
—
Richard Ramos, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
His name has been associated with police operations carried out in the context of protests, detentions, and crowd-control actions executed by the PNB, a force that since its creation has played a central role in repressing political dissent.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
In 2025 and 2026, reports of violent crackdowns including state killings, mass detentions, and intimidation have already emerged, signaling that repression remains the regime’s primary coercive tool.
—Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
These on-scene detentions are separate from the individual detained the following morning at a hotel in Coventry, who was later released.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 31 Dec. 2025
The Pinole Police Department has routinely checked potential ICE sightings, though none have been confirmed and no detentions in the city have been made, Sasai said.
—Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 20 Dec. 2025
But people protest and argue and record during ICE detentions because what people really want are witnesses.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 19 Dec. 2025
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
Richard Ramos, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
His name has been associated with police operations carried out in the context of protests, detentions, and crowd-control actions executed by the PNB, a force that since its creation has played a central role in repressing political dissent.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
In 2025 and 2026, reports of violent crackdowns including state killings, mass detentions, and intimidation have already emerged, signaling that repression remains the regime’s primary coercive tool.
—Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
These on-scene detentions are separate from the individual detained the following morning at a hotel in Coventry, who was later released.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 31 Dec. 2025
The Pinole Police Department has routinely checked potential ICE sightings, though none have been confirmed and no detentions in the city have been made, Sasai said.
—Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 20 Dec. 2025
But people protest and argue and record during ICE detentions because what people really want are witnesses.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 19 Dec. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detentions
Noun
-
Major delays at airports across the country continue to persist due to staffing issues in air traffic controller towers and centers.—
Jon Haworth,
ABC News,
8 Nov. 2025
-
After the modems were shut off in 2021, Forlini said, each community had to bring in the memory sticks in the tabulators to the county elections department for uploading, which brought delays in reporting unofficial results.—
Christina Hall,
Freep.com,
8 Nov. 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
-
Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport warned travelers of up to three-hour waits for security screening this week.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Although crowding issues have improved since American Express restricted Centurion guest access, there are often still long waits.—
Lori Zaino,
CNBC,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detentions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detentions. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share