Synonyms of detained

detained 1 of 2

adjective

as in delayed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• delayed
• postponed
• delinquent
• behind
• tardy
• belated
• late
• dragging
• overdue
• pokey
• lagging
• latish
• unhurried
• behindhand
• laggard
• dilatory
• sluggish
• poky
• dawdling
• slow
• dallying
• dillydallying

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• early
• premature
• precocious
• untimely
• timely
• opportune
• unseasonable
• inopportune
• prompt
• seasonable
• punctual

detained

2 of 2

verb

past tense of detain

1

as in arrested

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

Police detained the suspect.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• arrested
• apprehended
• seized
• imprisoned
• jailed
• incarcerated
• restrained
• confined
• interned
• committed
• restricted
• captured
• nabbed
• collared
• ran in
• pinched
• locked (up)
• nicked
• limited
• held
• pulled in
• constrained
• shut
• picked up
• nailed
• busted
• grabbed
• barred
• snatched
• bust
• trapped
• jugged
• immured
• handcuffed
• bound
• caught
• snapped (up)
• gated
• shackled
• grappled
• remanded
• snared
• landed
• fettered
• rearrested
• hooked
• bagged
• manacled
• got
• enchained
• trammelled
• trammeled

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• released
• freed
• liberated
• emancipated
• sprang
• loosened
• sprung
• loosed
• discharged
• unbound
• unchained

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.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• delayed
• slowed
• blocked
• set back
• suspended
• kept
• retarded
• impeded
• halted
• hindered
• stalled
• hesitated
• blockaded
• baffled
• obstructed
• paused
• balked
• snagged
• stemmed
• held up
• held
• extended
• held back
• arrested
• prolonged
• clogged
• dammed
• stretched (out)
• lengthened
• deferred
• protracted
• laid over
• remitted
• put over
• held over
• terminated
• put off
• repressed
• cut off
• shelved
• concluded
• bottlenecked
• ended
• discontinued
• held off (on)
• stopped
• checked
• turned back
• suppressed
• stayed
• stunted
• stilled
• reined (in)
• caught
• pulled up
• brought up
• drew up
• squashed
• called
• squelched
• choked off
• staunched
• stanched
• fetched up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continued
• carried on
• persisted
• kept (on)
• marched
• moved
• kept up
• proceeded
• advanced
• progressed
• ran on
• went along
• pushed
• stirred
• fared
• drove
• actuated
• followed through (with)
• impelled
• spurred
• propelled
• wended
• goaded
• budged

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of detained

Verb

The lawsuit follows a multi-year DOJ investigation that concluded the state unlawfully detained people after their sentences were up. —Minnah Arshad, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2024

Nearly 80% of those unlawfully detained were eligible for immediate release at the time of sentencing. —Minnah Arshad, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2024

California man detained in connection with Madison school shooting, records show Abundant Life received school safety grant money. —Natalie Eilbert, Journal Sentinel, 24 Dec. 2024

According to human rights organizations, most were denied due process, innocents including children were detained, and hundreds were tortured in jail and died. —Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024

New York City Police Department said officers detained the suspect hours after his photo was quickly shared online, following the incident at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024

He’s being detained at the moment in a place where no visitors are permitted. —Lee Chang-Dong, The New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2024

Gray has been detained since his arrest. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 21 Dec. 2024

Combs remains detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, having been denied bail multiple times due to concerns about witness tampering and violations of jail regulations. —Gord Magill, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024