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 greatest consequences of the public health hazard of immigration enforcement will fall on communities targeted by discriminatory policing, arrests, detentions, deportations, and violence.
—
Patrick Smith, STAT, 27 Jan. 2026
Avon Police Chief Greg Daly told the Vail Daily that ICE had confirmed seven arrests and detentions carried out Wednesday morning near Eagle-Vail.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 23 Jan. 2026
As tensions in Minneapolis are ratcheted up, so has the debate across America about United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement detentions.
—John Ramos, CBS News, 19 Jan. 2026
These warrants are issued by federal agencies and allow for detentions to be made without a traditional arrest warrant.
—Connor Greene, Time, 14 Jan. 2026
The force has been repeatedly accused by human rights organizations of excessive use of force, arbitrary detentions and abuses against demonstrators and civilians—allegations the Venezuelan government rejects.
—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
Patrick Smith, STAT, 27 Jan. 2026
Avon Police Chief Greg Daly told the Vail Daily that ICE had confirmed seven arrests and detentions carried out Wednesday morning near Eagle-Vail.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 23 Jan. 2026
As tensions in Minneapolis are ratcheted up, so has the debate across America about United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement detentions.
—John Ramos, CBS News, 19 Jan. 2026
These warrants are issued by federal agencies and allow for detentions to be made without a traditional arrest warrant.
—Connor Greene, Time, 14 Jan. 2026
The force has been repeatedly accused by human rights organizations of excessive use of force, arbitrary detentions and abuses against demonstrators and civilians—allegations the Venezuelan government rejects.
—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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detentions
Noun
-
While much of her early music didn’t delve into politics, her widespread influence and affiliation with the Shah resulted in brief imprisonments, interrogations, confiscations and, most permanently, a ban on singing and performing in Iran.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Meanwhile, a stylist has had to cancel his own honeymoon due to delays in the tour, indicating both slavish, life-altering devotion to the British pop star in her coterie, but also her obliviousness to such things going on.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
24 Jan. 2026
-
American Airlines accounts for most of the cancellations and delays, with 940 cancellations and 275 delays.—
Matt Nighswander,
NBC news,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Baltimore leaders say that 87% of young men enrolled in Roca Baltimore for 24 months have no new incarcerations, while those who stay in the program for three years are 19% less likely to return to a life of crime than other similarly aged men in Maryland.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
4 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Plano residents like Alex Flores and others in the region have complained about the shortfalls of microtransit, including road congestion and long waits.—
Lilly Kersh,
Dallas Morning News,
17 Jan. 2026
-
In the heart of Round Rock, the Unicorniverse can get quite busy on weekends, with waits of up to 40 minutes for food, so try to go on a weekday.—
Austin American Statesman,
Austin American Statesman,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detentions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detentions. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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