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
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
Data from the Deportation Data Project show that people were being detained in the San Diego holding room more frequently in the latter half of 2025 compared to earlier in the year and during the Biden administration, though monthly detentions in the holding room have dipped slightly during 2026.
—Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
The detention center, located southwest of San Antonio, has drawn scrutiny from members of Congress and immigrant advocates amid a recent increase in family detentions.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
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
Data from the Deportation Data Project show that people were being detained in the San Diego holding room more frequently in the latter half of 2025 compared to earlier in the year and during the Biden administration, though monthly detentions in the holding room have dipped slightly during 2026.
—Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
The detention center, located southwest of San Antonio, has drawn scrutiny from members of Congress and immigrant advocates amid a recent increase in family detentions.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 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
-
The police department, posting on the social platform X, advised travelers in the morning to avoid the area due to a police investigation and to expect delays and heavy traffic.—
Julie Walker,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The police department, posting on the social media site X, had urged travelers to avoid the area Saturday morning due to a police investigation and to expect delays and heavy traffic.—
Julie Walker,
Los Angeles Times,
11 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
-
Republicans and Democrats asked Edlow about growing waits for people to get an answer on their work permits or naturalization application.—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The dominant chick will tend to eat first while the smaller chick waits or comes up with creative ways to get their food, like walking around or waiting until the bigger chicks go into a food coma.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detentions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detentions. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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