DETACHMENT Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

detachment

noun

di-ˈtach-mənt

Definition of detachment

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

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

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

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 detachment In the book’s arc, this lands as a chilling dismissal, and a reminder of the magnitude of Bret’s increasingly psychotic concern over Robert Mallory and the Trawler, and his detachment from his own life. — Leo Lasdun, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2026 The South Carolina State Guard caisson detachment will carry Graham’s remains. — Chantelle Lee, Time, 22 July 2026 Single Geminis might enjoy the variety of having multiple options, though one person could challenge your detachment style by asking for clarity. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026 Sonos Noise Cancelling Headphones Deal The Sonos Ace Headphones deliver supreme sonic detachment with world-class Active Noise Cancellation and Dolby Atmos spatial audio with dynamic head tracking. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for detachment

Recent Examples of Synonyms for detachment

Noun

Vibration monitors would provide some objectivity, said Leila Sauvage, a paper conservator at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam who specializes in the impacts of vibration on art.

— Rachel Treisman, NPR, 20 Aug. 2026
One of the biggest mistakes leaders make during a mid-year review is allowing optimism to replace objectivity.

— John Abusaid, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of objectivity

Noun

The system administrator should have different capabilities than a patrol officer.

— Irene Wright, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
Now she’s fully thrown herself into researching her American crime story, even tagging along with the crash reconstruction unit of a highway patrol in North Dakota.

— Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of patrol

Noun

Art requires some neutrality to find its voice, but a building dedicated to the exploration of narrative shouldn’t stop exploring just when its storytelling begins.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
That neutrality can provide exposure to the broader market without requiring one architecture to dominate.

— John Gabriel, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of neutrality

Noun

An Army unit based in Europe was building its own drones before LaNeve directed it to end its efforts and return to being a traditional infantry battalion, officials said in August.

— Ben Finley, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 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 battalion

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

Definition of dispassion

Noun

Civil Protection units, supported by army squadrons, were still battling flare-ups in the provinces of Sétif and Guelma this week, where large swathes of forests have been burned.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
What was left of the RAF fighter squadrons flew home while the Army units plus what was left of the French Army fell back on the beaches of Dunkirk on the Channel coast.

— David Szondy August 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of squadron

Browse Nearby Words

detaching

detachment

detachments

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Detachment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detachment. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of detachment

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

apiary

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes