Synonyms of detain

detain

verb

1

as in to arrest

to take or keep (someone) in confinement by authority of law

Police detained the suspect.

Related Words

• arrest
• apprehend
• seize
• restrain
• imprison
• confine
• jail
• restrict
• incarcerate
• run in
• nab
• constrain
• capture
• commit
• limit
• shut
• hold
• pull in
• nick
• pinch
• grab
• lock (up)
• pick up
• snatch
• nail
• gate
• bust
• immure
• collar
• trap
• catch
• grapple
• snap (up)
• bind
• bar
• intern
• snare
• jug
• land
• handcuff
• hook
• get
• remand
• enchain
• shackle
• fetter
• rearrest
• bag
• trammel
• manacle

Dissimilar Words

• liberate
• release
• loosen
• emancipate
• free
• loose
• spring
• discharge
• unbind
• unchain

2

as in to delay

to keep (someone or something) from proceeding or progressing

She sent word that she had been unavoidably detained.

The plane was detained for hours due to inclement weather.

Related Words

• delay
• slow
• hinder
• impede
• keep
• set back
• obstruct
• block
• suspend
• hesitate
• retard
• halt
• extend
• hold
• prolong
• snag
• lengthen
• hold up
• stem
• stall
• defer
• pause
• balk
• clog
• hold back
• dam
• stretch (out)
• terminate
• repress
• arrest
• baffle
• blockade
• protract
• cut off
• put over
• put off
• hold off (on)
• hold over
• conclude
• remit
• discontinue
• suppress
• stop
• bottleneck
• lay over
• check
• turn back
• shelve
• stay
• end
• catch
• rein (in)
• call
• pull up
• draw up
• still
• bring up
• squelch
• stanch
• staunch
• choke off
• stunt
• squash
• fetch up

Dissimilar Words

• continue
• keep (on)
• persist
• proceed
• carry on
• run on
• keep up
• move
• advance
• march
• progress
• go along
• push
• stir
• drive
• fare
• spur
• follow through (with)
• propel
• wend
• budge
• impel
• actuate
• goad

Synonym Chooser

How is the word detain distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of detain are delay, retard, slacken, and slow. While all these words mean "to cause to be late or behind in movement or progress," detain implies a holding back beyond a reasonable or appointed time.

unexpected business had detained her

When is delay a more appropriate choice than detain?

While in some cases nearly identical to detain, delay implies a holding back, usually by interference, from completion or arrival.

bad weather delayed our arrival

In what contexts can retard take the place of detain?

In some situations, the words retard and detain are roughly equivalent. However, retard suggests reduction of speed without actual stopping.

language barriers retarded their progress

When might slacken be a better fit than detain?

Although the words slacken and detain have much in common, slacken suggests an easing up or relaxing of power or effort.

on hot days runners slacken their pace

How do slow and slacken relate to one another, in the sense of detain?

Both slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention.

medication slowed the patient's heart rate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of detain

Hyundai workers land in South Korea More than 300 South Korean workers detained during an immigration raid at a Hyundai battery plant construction site in Georgia landed at Incheon airport Friday. —Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025

Prior to Robinson's arrest, two people were briefly detained and then released on Wednesday. —Mandy Taheri joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025

Robinson was detained by authorities on Thursday after the FBI released photos and video of the suspect. —Ashley Lutz, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025

In the hours after the shooting, the FBI and Utah police announced two people had been detained and subsequently released. —David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025