1
as in objectivity
lack of favoritism toward one side or another
the judge showed commendable detachment when deciding the controversial case
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in patrol
a small military unit with a special task or function
the general sent a detachment ahead to scout the enemy's position
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in coldness
the absence of emotional involvement
his detachment allowed him a clearer perspective on the child custody case
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of detachment
If The House is Burning captured the joie de vivre of reclaiming your life after years of disassociation and detachment, IT’S BEEN AWFUL depicts the excruciating process of living with your eyes wide open, of holding up the mirror to your face and not looking away.
—
Brady Brickner-Wood, Pitchfork, 6 May 2026
The charm and detachment, precision and fatigue, hope and disillusionment.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 30 Apr. 2026
In mindfulness practice uncomfortable feelings and thoughts are not to be altered or avoided but rather observed with detachment to gain further understanding.
—Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Apr. 2026
Forest’s injuries — including a broken leg — made that level of detachment impossible.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detachment
Brady Brickner-Wood, Pitchfork, 6 May 2026
The charm and detachment, precision and fatigue, hope and disillusionment.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 30 Apr. 2026
In mindfulness practice uncomfortable feelings and thoughts are not to be altered or avoided but rather observed with detachment to gain further understanding.
—Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Apr. 2026
Forest’s injuries — including a broken leg — made that level of detachment impossible.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detachment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detachment
Noun
-
He’s also vowed to suspend the news services of Hungary’s public broadcaster — widely seen as a mouthpiece of Orbán’s party — until objectivity can be restored.—
Justin Spike,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
-
He's also vowed to suspend the news services of Hungary's public broadcaster — widely seen as a mouthpiece of Orbán's party — until objectivity can be restored.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Rhiannon Marie Rodriguez, 44 of Leavenworth, died in the crash on southbound Interstate 35 at Lone Elm Road in Olathe, according to the highway patrol’s initial crash log.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
13 May 2026
-
Forestry Commission officials cautioned that fuel conditions remain extremely dry, and crews are still actively engaged in patrol, suppression and mop-up operations on both fires.—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
When Charles was set to come face to face with one of the brightest, youngest faces of American politics, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, he was met with only a coldness and reminder of the crimes of British imperialism.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The term implies godlike deftness and speed but also a certain impersonal coldness — skill at the expense of passion.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 caused Finland to break with its long-standing tradition of military neutrality by applying for NATO membership later that same year.—
L. Sue Baugh,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
7 May 2026
-
In this sense, CNN’s neutrality, once a source of respect and credibility, could also undermine it by making the channel easily exploitable.—
Michael J. Socolow,
The Conversation,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
The battalion chief on scene called for additional crews, but the fire was quickly knocked down, the department said.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
-
An Israeli military battalion that assaulted and detained a CNN team in the occupied West Bank has been redeployed after a one-month suspension, an Israeli security source told CNN.—
Oren Liebermann,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Eliot loved hearing Claire talk about people, her combination of warmth and dispassion.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Nov. 2025
-
In the play’s most striking image, the dead sit in the Grover’s Corners graveyard in rows—rather like a theatre audience—watching the living with quiet dispassion.—
Helen Shaw,
The New Yorker,
17 Oct. 2024
Noun
-
India, an avatar of forceful neutralism early on, saw its influence diminished by regional conflict and domestic troubles.—
Erez Manela,
Foreign Affairs,
14 Dec. 2021
-
Globalizing impulses helped bring about a flourishing of neutralism.—
Leo Robson,
The New Yorker,
5 Dec. 2016
Noun
-
Overhead, squadrons of seagulls and other birds snatched bug after bug out of midair.—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
14 May 2026
-
Escorted by a color guard and motorcycle squadron, the impressive procession moved slowly toward the National Archives Building, crowds lining the streets to watch.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detachment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detachment. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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