detachments

noun

plural of detachment
as in patrols
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

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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 detachments His career spanned roles as Naval Security Group detachments in Japan and San Diego. — Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2026 Additional police resources were deployed to the area from neighboring detachments, along with the North District Emergency Response Team. — Alexandra Koch , Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026 The Israeli military has amassed two major groups of armored vehicles in Sheikh Radwan, to the north of Gaza City, according to the imagery, with additional detachments of armored vehicles stationed along roads that lead toward Israel. — CNN Money, 17 Sep. 2025 Although the much smaller Michino’o/Togitsu metal foundry detachments could not compete with the Ōhashi unit in terms of sheer noise and numbers, these girls were in high spirits this fine and yet‑too‑hot hot morning. — Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detachments
  1. troops
  2. battalions
  3. squads
  4. squadrons
  5. platoons
Noun
  • Most of the 54,000 US troops in Japan, and 70% of their military facilities, are based on the island.
    — Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Restricting the ability of troops to leave military bases and interact with the local community is a common response by military leaders to major crimes.
    — Ben Finley, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of troops
Noun
  • Nor could Grossman write about collaborators or the punishment battalions composed of convicts that were used as cannon fodder (one of many parallels between the conduct of the Soviet army and the present-day Russian military in Ukraine).
    — Nick Holdstock, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026
  • In northern Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts, Russian forces are reportedly disbanding some tank battalions and reallocating younger servicemembers to drone units, while assigning other personnel to assault units.
    — Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of battalions
Noun
  • The only bad thing about tonight's game is that the Brewers are up 2-0, and this could be the last game between the two squads.
    — David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • One of those squads is Fort Worth Paschal — the Panthers have struggled in district play but have given Wyatt and Heights tough games.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of squads
Noun
  • As the industrial age took hold, geometry continued to show force in the colonial infantries abroad and through isomorphic police squadrons that fit neatly into modernizing city blocks patrolled back home.
    — Sophie Landres, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The unit will work alongside existing RAF space operations and warning squadrons.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of squadrons
Noun
  • The welcome ceremony also included a flyover by two B-1 bombers, platoons from each military service, and a presentation of the flags and anthems of both countries.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The welcome ceremony was also set to include a flyover by two B-1 bombers, flower presenters, platoons from each military service, and a presentation of the flags and anthems of both countries.
    — Michelle L. Price, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of platoons

Browse Nearby Words

detachment
detachments
detail
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Cite this Entry

“Detachments.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detachments. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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