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 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
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch denounced a sustained crackdown on dissent under Talon, citing arbitrary detentions, tighter restrictions on public demonstrations and mounting pressure on independent media outlets.
—ABC News, 14 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
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
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch denounced a sustained crackdown on dissent under Talon, citing arbitrary detentions, tighter restrictions on public demonstrations and mounting pressure on independent media outlets.
—ABC News, 14 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
-
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
-
Lusverti added that the list of beneficiaries fails to cover key periods of arbitrary detentions, including cases between 2020 and 2024, and raised concerns that the same courts that ordered the imprisonments are now responsible for administering the amnesty.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
One challenge the next state controller will face is the effort to modernize the state’s payroll system, which has encountered significant delays and is one of California’s most costly IT projects.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Drivers saw delays throughout the day Friday as streets running parallel to and crossing 19th Avenue also slowed while people looked for alternate routes.—
Kenny Choi,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 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
-
Here are five players who could end up being taken later than the consensus suggests and seven college football standouts who could face long waits.—
Jim Reineking,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Columbines are perfect for gardeners seeking quick, stunning blooms without long waits.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detentions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detentions. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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