1
as in delay
an instance or period of being prevented from going about one's business
the returning vacationers' detainment at the border only lasted a few minutes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in detention
the state of being held in lawful custody
she'll be kept in detainment until the trial if she can't post bail
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of detainment
Abu Safiya also had his eyeglasses confiscated during his detainment and since been experiencing vision issues, according to Abbas.
—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
20 June 2026
Chicagoans blew whistles and filmed detainments while immigration agents patrolled neighborhoods with military-grade weapons as part of Operation Midway Blitz.
—
Alex Poppe,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
Deputies said Appleberry resisted arrest and later spit blood on medical personnel as he was being treated in detainment.
—
Sacbee.com,
8 June 2026
The detainments would also be very temporary, would only be during the building's office hours, and no one would be detained overnight.
—
Dennis Valera,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
During the 150-day detainment, Dabrio Marrero went from Newark, New Jersey, to Arizona, to Texas, to Alligator Alcatraz in Florida and eventually to Adams County Correctional Center in Natchez, Mississippi, where he was ultimately released on April 23.
—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
6 May 2026
Anxiety is high among stadium workers, who are concerned about the threat of ICE detainment, regardless of their immigration status.
—
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Juan and Donovan’s relationship was interrupted by his detainment early on, so their evidence wasn’t as easy.
—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
Schlenker says the initial detainment has turned into a months-long legal battle overseas and there is no clear sign of returning home.
—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
20 June 2026
Chicagoans blew whistles and filmed detainments while immigration agents patrolled neighborhoods with military-grade weapons as part of Operation Midway Blitz.
—
Alex Poppe,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
Deputies said Appleberry resisted arrest and later spit blood on medical personnel as he was being treated in detainment.
—
Sacbee.com,
8 June 2026
The detainments would also be very temporary, would only be during the building's office hours, and no one would be detained overnight.
—
Dennis Valera,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
During the 150-day detainment, Dabrio Marrero went from Newark, New Jersey, to Arizona, to Texas, to Alligator Alcatraz in Florida and eventually to Adams County Correctional Center in Natchez, Mississippi, where he was ultimately released on April 23.
—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
6 May 2026
Anxiety is high among stadium workers, who are concerned about the threat of ICE detainment, regardless of their immigration status.
—
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Juan and Donovan’s relationship was interrupted by his detainment early on, so their evidence wasn’t as easy.
—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
Schlenker says the initial detainment has turned into a months-long legal battle overseas and there is no clear sign of returning home.
—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detainment
Noun
-
But the heat has led to cancellations and delays in several states.
-
The city commission reached a major step forward on the project after months of delays and disagreements over the best way to replace the old City Hall, which was damaged beyond repair by the historic flooding of April 2023.
Noun
-
The court allowed the arrest and detention of American citizens of Japanese descent, citing wartime concerns.
-
Journalists and government critics frequently face investigation, detention or prosecution.
Noun
-
The wait for Taylor Swift to drop photos from her wedding to Travis Kelce is on.
-
Next up is a mouthwatering quarterfinal against Naomi Osaka, a Wimbledon occasion that will hopefully be worth the wait.
Noun
-
But after his imprisonment, Lilburne’s Proposition became the defining cause of the radical Leveller movement, which subsequently dedicated itself to unlocking all of the revolutionary possibilities lurking in the word equal.
-
Badea, who was involved in the conspiracy for less time, was handed eight years’ imprisonment.
Noun
-
His spouse, Marie Castro Fiallos, told the federal court her husband’s incarceration has been devastating for their children.
-
According to Evans, Holmes has maintained a spotless disciplinary record during her three years of incarceration.
Cite this Entry
“Detainment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detainment. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
