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
The advocacy group said the junta’s inner circle appears directly involved in the detentions, with a security officer for junta leader Capt.
—
ABC News, 6 May 2026
The judges’ caseloads have been swamped even further with the arrival of nearly 1,000 new legal petitions per month challenging immigration detentions in the district, where a concentration of ICE facilities can house nearly 4,000 people at a time, Nunley said.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Tolbert wrote that officers may ask about immigration status during lawful detentions or arrests, work with federal immigration authorities, and share immigration‑status information.
—Doug Myers, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
While none of those migrants are being held at Bata, the visit put the spotlight on Equatorial Guinea’s overall human rights record and its judiciary, which rights campaigners have criticized for its lack of independence, arbitrary detentions and other abuses.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
The detentions have made residents hesitant to speak about the war, throttled the availability of crucial online evidence of the unfolding conflict and contributed to a climate of fear in the face of authoritarian governments.
—Jane Lytvynenko, NBC news, 17 Apr. 2026
Once a technically complicated legal rarity used to challenge improper incarcerations, habeas corpus petitions have become the predominant avenue for immigrants seeking release from detentions that increasingly end only with a deportation order.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 12 Apr. 2026
The detentions, which come well before ICE was deployed to assist at checkpoints, illustrate the close relationship between the different parts of DHS.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2026
Interreligious tension exists, with arbitrary detentions of Christians and arrests under the nation’s blasphemy laws.
—Mathew Schmalz, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2026
ABC News, 6 May 2026
The judges’ caseloads have been swamped even further with the arrival of nearly 1,000 new legal petitions per month challenging immigration detentions in the district, where a concentration of ICE facilities can house nearly 4,000 people at a time, Nunley said.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Tolbert wrote that officers may ask about immigration status during lawful detentions or arrests, work with federal immigration authorities, and share immigration‑status information.
—Doug Myers, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
While none of those migrants are being held at Bata, the visit put the spotlight on Equatorial Guinea’s overall human rights record and its judiciary, which rights campaigners have criticized for its lack of independence, arbitrary detentions and other abuses.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
The detentions have made residents hesitant to speak about the war, throttled the availability of crucial online evidence of the unfolding conflict and contributed to a climate of fear in the face of authoritarian governments.
—Jane Lytvynenko, NBC news, 17 Apr. 2026
Once a technically complicated legal rarity used to challenge improper incarcerations, habeas corpus petitions have become the predominant avenue for immigrants seeking release from detentions that increasingly end only with a deportation order.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 12 Apr. 2026
The detentions, which come well before ICE was deployed to assist at checkpoints, illustrate the close relationship between the different parts of DHS.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2026
Interreligious tension exists, with arbitrary detentions of Christians and arrests under the nation’s blasphemy laws.
—Mathew Schmalz, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detentions
Noun
-
Darling pointed to recent high profile imprisonments of Baha’i cousins Peyvand Naimi and Borna Naimi, who have undergone torture to force confessions and face possible death sentences.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
1 May 2026
-
In Acts, the disciple Paul endures several imprisonments, turning to God for strength and divine intervention.—
Emiliano Tahui Gómez,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Porter focused on cutting bureaucracy, calling for a single statewide development permit to streamline approvals and reduce delays.—
Noe Padilla,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
-
Police have asked those traveling around the area to plan for delays and try alternative routes if possible.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Once a technically complicated legal rarity used to challenge improper incarcerations, habeas corpus petitions have become the predominant avenue for immigrants seeking release from detentions that increasingly end only with a deportation order.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Despite their felony convictions and impending incarcerations, both former Met police career criminals continue to collect their monthly kisses in the mail — $8,850 a month for Cederquist and $6,020 for Butner.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
4 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Bisignano promised to bring waits down to under ten minutes.—
E. Tammy Kim,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
-
Under Noem, lawmakers from both parties expressed frustration with long waits for assistance for disaster survivors, and for federal grant money to protect people across the country from floods, fires and storms.—
Lauren Sommer,
NPR,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detentions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detentions. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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