1
as in imprisonments
the state of being held in lawful custody
he's been in detention since the arrest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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 detentions
Both sides have also carried out arbitrary detentions, with SAF interrogating and beating dozens of Christians in 2024 and 2025.
—
Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Many fear the detentions could have a chilling effect on any business thinking of striking a deal on US soil.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
As late as 2019, with detentions in Xinjiang well underway, Dell hosted an industry summit in its capital.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
But the detentions have already spooked foreign investors.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 8 Sep. 2025
Amid a clash between agents and protesters, CPD officers were called to the scene, but were not involved with detentions.
—Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
This environment of mass detentions, human rights violations and secrecy has created a lucrative side business for corrupt official who prey on family members of the imprisoned.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025
Yost argued that the 2007 opinion did not take into account other types of civil detentions or agreements with federal immigration authorities.
—Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 30 Aug. 2025
His arrest came amid a wave of detentions targeting students involved in pro-Palestinian activism during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Many fear the detentions could have a chilling effect on any business thinking of striking a deal on US soil.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
As late as 2019, with detentions in Xinjiang well underway, Dell hosted an industry summit in its capital.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
But the detentions have already spooked foreign investors.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 8 Sep. 2025
Amid a clash between agents and protesters, CPD officers were called to the scene, but were not involved with detentions.
—Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
This environment of mass detentions, human rights violations and secrecy has created a lucrative side business for corrupt official who prey on family members of the imprisoned.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025
Yost argued that the 2007 opinion did not take into account other types of civil detentions or agreements with federal immigration authorities.
—Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 30 Aug. 2025
His arrest came amid a wave of detentions targeting students involved in pro-Palestinian activism during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detentions
Noun
-
An alleged cyberattack targeting a company that manages check-in and boarding systems for airlines caused delays and cancellations at Europe’s busiest airports on Saturday.—
Richard Hall,
Time,
20 Sep. 2025
-
The Ferrari Club of America gathering at Ballantyne Country Club could cause delays during club events Monday morning and afternoon, NCDOT spokeswoman Jen Goodwin told The Charlotte Observer.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The incarcerations have been part of Bukele’s controversial efforts to stem the high crime rates and gang violence that have plagued the country for years.—
Michael Rios,
CNN,
17 Mar. 2025
-
The Body Politic uplifts Baltimore’s relative success in decreasing the city’s homicide and violent crime rate while not increasing incarcerations or the rate of citizen-police interactions.—
Richard Fowler,
Forbes,
3 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
One pack moves several miles down the road while the pack behind it sits and waits.—
Denver Nicks,
Rolling Stone,
14 Sep. 2025
-
The bus service’s long waits also caused crowding and loitering in the area, spokeswoman Pauline Haberman said at the time.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detentions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detentions. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share