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.

Synonyms & Similar 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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• 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.

Synonyms & Similar 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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• 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

Examples of detain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead, the Nigerian government detained Gambaryan, took his passport, and has now jailed him for over six months, charging him with money laundering and tax evasion as a proxy for his employer. —Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 9 Oct. 2024

And those who are not in ICE custody may be detained by state or local law enforcement agencies, according to the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE. —Michelle L. Price, Chicago Tribune, 7 Oct. 2024

Acting on an anonymous tip, Greek police searched Haider’s apartment and detained him for possessing fake identity papers. —Renee Maltezou, Cassell Bryan-Low, Yannis Souliotis and Phil Stewart, USA TODAY, 6 Oct. 2024

Just five years ago, the prime minister flew to Moscow and personally negotiated with Russian President Vladimir Putin to release a young Israeli woman detained for drug trafficking. —Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 4 Oct. 2024