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 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
The data shows another 130 detentions during a three-day December surge when then-Border Patrol Cmdr.
—Joe Mahr, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
After Immigration and Customs Enforcement detentions, people too afraid to leave their homes ended up losing sources of income, meaning paying rent became impossible.
—Conor Wight, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
Some object to immigration raids and detentions.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
One year later, the costs of those detentions are coming into focus.
—Martin Kaste, NPR, 26 Mar. 2026
As attorneys fight the ongoing detentions in court, some SIJS recipients have been released.
—Daniella Silva, NBC news, 17 Mar. 2026
The detentions follow El Salvador President Nayib Bukele’s nearly four-year emergency measures, which have led to approximately 91,300 people being detained nationwide.
—Gisela Salomon, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
The policy changes will also allow HPD officers to prolong detentions and traffic stops on the basis of administrative warrants, Fife said.
—John Wayne Ferguson, Houston Chronicle, 11 Mar. 2026
Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
The data shows another 130 detentions during a three-day December surge when then-Border Patrol Cmdr.
—Joe Mahr, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
After Immigration and Customs Enforcement detentions, people too afraid to leave their homes ended up losing sources of income, meaning paying rent became impossible.
—Conor Wight, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
Some object to immigration raids and detentions.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
One year later, the costs of those detentions are coming into focus.
—Martin Kaste, NPR, 26 Mar. 2026
As attorneys fight the ongoing detentions in court, some SIJS recipients have been released.
—Daniella Silva, NBC news, 17 Mar. 2026
The detentions follow El Salvador President Nayib Bukele’s nearly four-year emergency measures, which have led to approximately 91,300 people being detained nationwide.
—Gisela Salomon, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
The policy changes will also allow HPD officers to prolong detentions and traffic stops on the basis of administrative warrants, Fife said.
—John Wayne Ferguson, Houston Chronicle, 11 Mar. 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
-
Caltrans advised drivers to use the prior exit to reach their destinations and avoid delays.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Police said to expect delays in the area and that all traffic eastbound is being detoured onto exit 40.—
Mirna Alsharif,
NBC news,
4 Apr. 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
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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
-
Some restaurants, like l’Entrecôte de Paris, which is known for its steak frites (fries), only accept walk-ups and in-person waits.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
As more Transportation Security Administration agents called out from work, there was increasing frustration for air travelers confronted by long waits at some airport security lines.—
Kevin Freking,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detentions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detentions. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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