1
as in imprisonment
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 delay
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 detention
The Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office is accused of pursuing the wrong man, leading to Dixon’s detention in multiple jails.
—
Real-Time News Team, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
Despite internal White House frustrations over the slow pace of nationwide interior arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), CNN says that officials are warning that invoking the Insurrection Act could overwhelm detention capacity.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
When the immigration judge considered his case, Abrego Garcia was being held in immigration detention after being arrested by Prince George's County police in a Home Depot parking lot.
—Brian Bennett, Time, 18 Apr. 2025
Now that Kingston is home, home detention continues, and he is being monitored via GPS.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detention
Real-Time News Team, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
Despite internal White House frustrations over the slow pace of nationwide interior arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), CNN says that officials are warning that invoking the Insurrection Act could overwhelm detention capacity.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
When the immigration judge considered his case, Abrego Garcia was being held in immigration detention after being arrested by Prince George's County police in a Home Depot parking lot.
—Brian Bennett, Time, 18 Apr. 2025
Now that Kingston is home, home detention continues, and he is being monitored via GPS.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detention
Noun
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Under cost-cutting orders from the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, purchasing cards had been frozen, requiring approvals for all but emergency expenses, which sometimes meant lengthy delays.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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Anyone who pays close attention to the launch industry knows delays are part of the business.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Many of the recipients are working on projects responding to issues including climate change, Indigenous studies, identity, democracy and politics, incarceration, and the evolving purpose of community.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
15 Apr. 2025
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Through deeply personal storytelling, the film highlights the generational impact of mass incarceration, the resilience of families, and the urgent need for systemic change.—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The wait is over: Netflix’s long-running dark satirical anthology series, Black Mirror, officially returns on April 10.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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From there, the wait begins — standard processing can take anywhere from three to six months, sometimes more.—
Alex Ashley,
Rolling Stone,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detention. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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