detainment

noun

Definition of detainmentnext
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

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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

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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 Hernandez’s lawyer declined to comment Thursday on his detainment. — Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026 Reporters from Noozhawk and KEYT were among those detained, and both outlets published articles detailing the detainment. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026 The legislation came after Lee, Deluzio and Dean conducted visits to Moshannon Valley Processing Facility earlier this year, the Northeast's largest immigration detainment facility. — Finch Walker, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026 Xinjiang is home to many Uyghurs, a Muslim minority that the Chinese government has subjected to surveillance, forced labor and detainment in concentration camps. — Hailey Wang, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026 In June, Brittney and Cherelle opened up to PEOPLE about how Brittney’s detainment derailed their plans of starting a family. — Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026 Forbes removed Prince Alwaleed from its billionaire ranks in 2018 following his monthslong detainment by the Saudi government in 2017, before he and other Saudis were included again in 2025. — Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 28 July 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detainment
  1. delay
  2. detention
  3. wait
  4. imprisonment
  5. incarceration
Noun
  • The reduction will likely worsen existing delays and exacerbate transit fees, experts say.
    — Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The cost-sharing is scheduled to start in October 2027, though Congress has considered a delay.
    — Geoff Mulvihill, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of delay
Noun
  • Rights groups have raised concerns about the treatment of migrants and asylum seekers in Tunisia since the EU agreement, including reports of collective expulsions, racial violence, arbitrary detention and abuses against Black migrants.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Munsell was given 10 years for second-degree drug trafficking, five years for aggravated fleeing a stop or detention and five years for tampering with a motor vehicle, according to court records.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of detention
Noun
  • Both siblings were convicted of first-degree murder, although Hansen was also convicted of a special circumstance allegation of lying in wait.
    — Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026
  • If so, that would be at least a bonus for such a long wait between seasons, and at least some measure of good news.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of wait
Noun
  • Violations of these laws may result in criminal fines and imprisonment.
    — Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The sentences are to run concurrently for a total of 10 years imprisonment.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of imprisonment
Noun
  • Laws regarding incarceration of youthful offenders — age 25 or younger at the time of the crime — have evolved since the siblings were tried.
    — Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026
  • His father, Michael Spitze, was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison in May after admitting to trying to tamper with witnesses during his son’s incarceration.
    — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of incarceration

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detainment
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Cite this Entry

“Detainment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detainment. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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