detention

noun

di-ˈten-chən How to pronounce detention (audio)
Definition of detentionnext
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

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 detention On the latest edition of Deadline’s Doc Talk podcast, co-hosts John Ridley and Matt Carey discuss what happened when the Miami Beach City Commission took up the mayor’s resolution to punish the cinema (our conversation was recorded before Ballal’s detention and subsequent release). — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2025 Leah Zemel, an Israeli lawyer representing the detainees, told The New York Times that she was informed that the individuals were being held in a military center for medical treatment and were questioned, but authorities did not give a reason for their detention. — Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 25 Mar. 2025 Trump administration brings back family detention of migrants. — Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 14 Mar. 2025 Policies such as Saudi Arabia’s military intervention in Yemen, its blockade of Qatar, the detention of Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad Hariri and the conversion of the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh into a makeshift prison all fed an image of the young prince as an impulsive decision-maker. — Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, The Conversation, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for detention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detention
  1. delay
  2. incarceration
  3. wait
Noun
  • Limited options amid development delays NASA also has Sierra Nevada's Dream Chaser spacecraft on its internal schedule for a May launch this year.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Passengers were provided meal vouchers and undisclosed compensation for their delay, the spokesperson said.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of delay
Noun
  • Instead of additional incarceration, his attorney asked for probation Tuesday.
    — Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Prosecutors had sought a sentence of 30 years to life in prison, while the defense argued for no incarceration.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
Definition of incarceration
Noun
  • Even Millie Bobby Brown, in a joke interview with her 2024 self, mentioned the long wait.
    — Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 18 Mar. 2025
  • That goal looked to be within touching distance as six birdies saw Walker arrive at the 17th tee on Friday at four-under par for the second round, only for two closing bogeys to bring on an anxious wait to see if one-under par overall would be enough to squeeze through.
    — Jack Bantock, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of wait

Browse Nearby Words

détentes
detention
detentions
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Cite this Entry

“Detention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detention. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on detention

Nglish: Translation of detention for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about detention

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