1
as in detentions
the state of being held in lawful custody
keep him in detainer for at least 72 hours
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in appropriations
the unlawful taking or withholding of something from the rightful owner under a guise of authority
she filed an action for unlawful detainer of land after nonpayment of rent
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of detainers
The sheriff’s department has to honor ICE detainers, under state law, or the county could be sued, Gore said.
—
Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Immigration detainers are requests for state or local law enforcement agencies to hold a person in criminal custody and to notify ICE before their release.
—Liz Teitz, San Antonio Express-News, 23 Apr. 2026
The department’s standing policy is based off a 2017 state law prohibiting Massachusetts police officers from enforcing civil immigration detainers.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
According to the lawsuit, Connecticut has honored less than 20% of the civil immigration detainers issued by the federal government since 2020.
—Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 14 Apr. 2026
Afterward, Moore issued three directives clarifying that state and local agencies may still cooperate with ICE on criminal matters and immigration detainers.
—Jeff Barker, Baltimore Sun, 13 Apr. 2026
The sheriff previously declined to honor certain federal immigration detainers, drawing criticism from state lawmakers and prompting legislative changes.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 10 Apr. 2026
The county sheriff’s office said that ICE did not submit any other detainers or warrants stemming from Jalloh’s numerous arrests over the years.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 9 Mar. 2026
Collins says detainers have not affected population levels.
—Monroe Trombly, Louisville Courier Journal, 6 Mar. 2026
Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Immigration detainers are requests for state or local law enforcement agencies to hold a person in criminal custody and to notify ICE before their release.
—Liz Teitz, San Antonio Express-News, 23 Apr. 2026
The department’s standing policy is based off a 2017 state law prohibiting Massachusetts police officers from enforcing civil immigration detainers.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
According to the lawsuit, Connecticut has honored less than 20% of the civil immigration detainers issued by the federal government since 2020.
—Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 14 Apr. 2026
Afterward, Moore issued three directives clarifying that state and local agencies may still cooperate with ICE on criminal matters and immigration detainers.
—Jeff Barker, Baltimore Sun, 13 Apr. 2026
The sheriff previously declined to honor certain federal immigration detainers, drawing criticism from state lawmakers and prompting legislative changes.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 10 Apr. 2026
The county sheriff’s office said that ICE did not submit any other detainers or warrants stemming from Jalloh’s numerous arrests over the years.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 9 Mar. 2026
Collins says detainers have not affected population levels.
—Monroe Trombly, Louisville Courier Journal, 6 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detainers
Noun
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The judges’ caseloads have been swamped even further with the arrival of nearly 1,000 new legal petitions per month challenging immigration detentions in the district, where a concentration of ICE facilities can house nearly 4,000 people at a time, Nunley said.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
24 Apr. 2026
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Tolbert wrote that officers may ask about immigration status during lawful detentions or arrests, work with federal immigration authorities, and share immigration‑status information.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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As a result, Democrats refused to fund DHS as part of regular appropriations, pushing for new restrictions on how immigration enforcement officials conduct themselves.—
Ryan Lucas,
NPR,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Its next stop will be the lower chamber’s appropriations committee.—
Linh Tat,
Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Once a technically complicated legal rarity used to challenge improper incarcerations, habeas corpus petitions have become the predominant avenue for immigrants seeking release from detentions that increasingly end only with a deportation order.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
12 Apr. 2026
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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
Noun
-
Amari has epilepsy and is prone to seizures, according to Today.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
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Without treatment, meningitis can be life-threatening and lead to seizures, hearing or vision loss, fluid buildup in the brain, sepsis and more.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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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
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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
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Since then, the district named literacy its top priority; county officials called on all Tarrant school districts to develop plans ensuring all students read on grade level; and two state takeovers have taken shape in the Fort Worth and Lake Worth school districts to improve student achievement.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Street takeovers are aggressive, dangerous and have nothing to do with an appreciation of cars.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But county commissioners voted in February to put a moratorium on annexations and incorporations for at least five years to give the county time to assess the fiscal impact of future annexation and incorporations.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detainers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detainers. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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