as in delayed
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
1
as in arrested
to take or keep (someone) in confinement by authority of law
Police detained the suspect.
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in slowed
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
Dissimilar Words
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 detained
Briseida Holguin, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Additional information was not available about the events leading up to the shooting, but police said one suspect had been detained Saturday evening.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2026
Dallas police detained a man at the No Kings protest in downtown Dallas Saturday afternoon after an incident, according to video captured by a Dallas Morning News staff photographer.
—Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 29 Mar. 2026
No Kings protest ends March 38 with protesters detained and the use of a chemical irritant on some protesters.
—Mark Russell, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 29 Mar. 2026
Fort Worth’s protest was one of more than 20 scheduled across DFW on Saturday, including one in Dallas, where at least one person was detained after a clash with counter-protesters.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2026
Police spokesman Om Adhikari said both Oli and Lekhak were being detained at the Kathmandu Police Office and would be produced before the court on Sunday, a working day in Nepal.
—CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
In fact, Jalloh was detained in February 2023, the arrest that triggered the 2023 detainer, for stabbing an elderly man and stealing his phone.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 22 Mar. 2026
Police detained the suspect walking nearby and later arrested him.
—Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026
Verb
One detained at Dallas demonstration While most of Saturday's rallies were peaceful, police say one person was detained at the Dallas demonstration.
—Briseida Holguin, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Additional information was not available about the events leading up to the shooting, but police said one suspect had been detained Saturday evening.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2026
Dallas police detained a man at the No Kings protest in downtown Dallas Saturday afternoon after an incident, according to video captured by a Dallas Morning News staff photographer.
—Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 29 Mar. 2026
No Kings protest ends March 38 with protesters detained and the use of a chemical irritant on some protesters.
—Mark Russell, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 29 Mar. 2026
Fort Worth’s protest was one of more than 20 scheduled across DFW on Saturday, including one in Dallas, where at least one person was detained after a clash with counter-protesters.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2026
Police spokesman Om Adhikari said both Oli and Lekhak were being detained at the Kathmandu Police Office and would be produced before the court on Sunday, a working day in Nepal.
—CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
In fact, Jalloh was detained in February 2023, the arrest that triggered the 2023 detainer, for stabbing an elderly man and stealing his phone.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 22 Mar. 2026
Police detained the suspect walking nearby and later arrested him.
—Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detained
Adjective
-
The series, starring Morris Chestnut, was initially held back for another midseason run on Sundays before being summoned to the fall schedule to fill in for the delayed CIA, landing behind FBI on Mondays.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The same happened on Artemis 1, a delayed but ultimately successful uncrewed mission to lunar orbit that flew in late 2022.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Aaron Alex, 26, of Dallas; Bronya Freeman, 24, of Dallas; and Jay Jones, 28, of Lancaster, were arrested March 22 after a five-month investigation, police said.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Over the course of two weeks, two Laurel Highlands teachers were arrested after being accused of having inappropriate relationships with students.—
Ricky Sayer,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the case before the 8th Circuit, Joaquin Herrera Avila of Mexico was apprehended in Minneapolis in August 2025 for lacking legal documents authorizing his admission into the United States.—
AUDREY McAVOY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
27 Mar. 2026
-
He was later apprehended and found to have a trigger, rifle accessory and a box of ammunition totalling just over $544 in value.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Costs for consumers can quickly inflate beyond the delinquent medical bills hospitals or providers seek to collect, said Barak Richman, a professor of business law at George Washington University Law School and a co-author of the PRA report.—
Ken Alltucker,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The board also heard appeals from candidates subject to fines for delinquent campaign finance reports.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detained. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
