1
as in detention
the state of being held in lawful custody
keep him in detainer for at least 72 hours
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in appropriation
the unlawful taking or withholding of something from the rightful owner under a guise of authority
she filed an action for unlawful detainer of land after nonpayment of rent
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of detainer
Widely used police databases alert ICE to arrests of immigrants on its radar, after which the federal agency can send special requests, called detainers, to ask local cops to hold them until a federal agent can retrieve them.
—
Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
The Department of Homeland Security filed a detainer request for Brito-Costa, who is being held in uptown’s jail without bond.
—Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2026
Earlier this week, the Los Angeles County Superior Court ruled in favor of Rourke’s landlord in an unlawful detainer case, according to People.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 11 Mar. 2026
Lost in all the heated rhetoric is the fact that so much of this turmoil would have been avoided if federal detainers were simply honored within local jails and state prisons — away from the public and professional provocateurs who are drawn to uncivil cultural conflict like bees to honey.
—Bob Ehrlich, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detainer
Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
The Department of Homeland Security filed a detainer request for Brito-Costa, who is being held in uptown’s jail without bond.
—Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2026
Earlier this week, the Los Angeles County Superior Court ruled in favor of Rourke’s landlord in an unlawful detainer case, according to People.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 11 Mar. 2026
Lost in all the heated rhetoric is the fact that so much of this turmoil would have been avoided if federal detainers were simply honored within local jails and state prisons — away from the public and professional provocateurs who are drawn to uncivil cultural conflict like bees to honey.
—Bob Ehrlich, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detainer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detainer
Noun
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But detainees inside the Adelanto facility who called the Immigrant Defenders rapid response hotline alleged that medical staff didn’t respond until after Ramos was unresponsive and that Ramos died inside the immigration detention facility, said an Immigrant Defenders spokesperson.—
Ryanne Mena,
Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
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The data shows another 130 detentions during a three-day December surge when then-Border Patrol Cmdr.—
Joe Mahr,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This year’s White House document is intended to provide a road map from the president to Congress as lawmakers build their own budgets and annual appropriations bills to keep the government funded.—
Lisa Mascaro,
Fortune,
4 Apr. 2026
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This year's White House document is intended to provide a roadmap from the president to Congress as lawmakers build their own budgets and annual appropriations bills to keep the government funded.—
LISA MASCARO,
Arkansas Online,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Her imprisonment became a cause celebre for many on the Right, and hopes were high for her appeal, but on Thursday, the Colorado Court of Appeals affirmed her conviction.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Apr. 2026
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Most importantly, the legislation intensified punishments for those with prior convictions, with the worst offenders looking at a first-degree felony with up to 30 years imprisonment.—
Sean M. Cleary,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Bianco previously said that the investigation — and the seizure of more than 650,000 ballots cast in the November election — was legal and approved by a Riverside County judge.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
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His serious health issues began in 2023 — loss of appetite, shaky hands, chills, severe anxiety, recurring nightmares and small seizures during sleep.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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An error in a legal brief could lead to an innocent person’s incarceration.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
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The 1991 movie stars Nick Nolte as Sam Bowden, the one-time public defender who Cady haunts, blaming his long prison incarceration for rape on purposefully faulty defense tactics.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Prasad, however, bristled at the idea of a takeover by Insight during the news conference Wednesday.—
Lisa Schencker,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
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As the threat of a conservative curriculum takeover looms over Florida’s New College, a group of students and their professor come together to resist and push back.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In his order, Burrows asked the legislative committee to complete a detailed analysis of the state and federal statutes needed to initiate the annexation process.—
Sarah Bahari,
Dallas Morning News,
30 Mar. 2026
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Ultimately, the approvals considered Tuesday for Project Steel — on annexation, rezoning of the property, a Planned Unit Development agreement, and the utility and infrastructure and development agreements — were all approved.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detainer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detainer. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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