1
as in objectivity
lack of favoritism toward one side or another
the judge showed commendable detachment when deciding the controversial case
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in patrol
a small military unit with a special task or function
the general sent a detachment ahead to scout the enemy's position
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in coldness
the absence of emotional involvement
his detachment allowed him a clearer perspective on the child custody case
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of detachment
In the note, Washington assigns De Hart to the command of a detachment to patrol an area around Paramus, New Jersey.
—
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 6 Mar. 2026
How to practice detachment in relationships Don’t rearrange your life.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 3 Mar. 2026
This detachment is especially troubling when civilian casualties are at stake.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 3 Mar. 2026
Still, when my plane’s turn came, the takeoff was as exhilarating as ever—the low rumble and rising thrum, the smooth detachment and sudden lift, and then the surge through clouds into a piercing blue sky.
—Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detachment
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 6 Mar. 2026
How to practice detachment in relationships Don’t rearrange your life.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 3 Mar. 2026
This detachment is especially troubling when civilian casualties are at stake.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 3 Mar. 2026
Still, when my plane’s turn came, the takeoff was as exhilarating as ever—the low rumble and rising thrum, the smooth detachment and sudden lift, and then the surge through clouds into a piercing blue sky.
—Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detachment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detachment
Noun
-
Luminate has a series of extensive checks and balances in place to detect any fraudulent data from providers to ensure the objectivity of the chart.—
Kyle Eustice,
VIBE.com,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Having cast doubt on Beatty’s objectivity, Hilborn then made the case that Wilkens’ fear may have stemmed from something other than abuse.—
Pamela Colloff,
ProPublica,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In drills, Taiwan has rehearsed repelling a seaborne assault with drones, fast patrol craft, mobile Hsiung Feng anti-ship missiles and Marine Corps teams.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
-
During the chase, a deputy got out of his patrol vehicle to try to deploy stop sticks in the truck's path, but the driver rammed the deputy's vehicle.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The song has said everything that Ines can’t bring herself to, and her coldness chips away in the days and weeks that follow.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Some of it has to do with the coldness of the skin.—
Stephanie Innes,
AZCentral.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Let every new person, every new opportunity be greeted with neutrality, then observation, then placement.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
That neutrality could come at a cost, some experts say, should the two GOP aspirants prevail.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The contingent of paratroopers includes a battalion of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, the sources said.—
Mustafa Qadri,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The fire occurred at 145 Brevard Court, said John Lipcsak, battalion chief in the department’s public information office, in an email to The Charlotte Observer.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Eliot loved hearing Claire talk about people, her combination of warmth and dispassion.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Nov. 2025
-
In the play’s most striking image, the dead sit in the Grover’s Corners graveyard in rows—rather like a theatre audience—watching the living with quiet dispassion.—
Helen Shaw,
The New Yorker,
17 Oct. 2024
Noun
-
India, an avatar of forceful neutralism early on, saw its influence diminished by regional conflict and domestic troubles.—
Erez Manela,
Foreign Affairs,
14 Dec. 2021
-
Globalizing impulses helped bring about a flourishing of neutralism.—
Leo Robson,
The New Yorker,
5 Dec. 2016
Noun
-
Hornets head coach Charles Lee pulled his starters two minutes later, sending in a squadron of deep reserves that included popular ex-Celtics forward Xavier Tillman.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The aircraft element consists of a helicopter squadron with transport helicopters of various models and capabilities.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detachment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detachment. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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