1
as in arresting
to take or keep (someone) in confinement by authority of law
Police detained the suspect.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in delaying
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples 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 detaining
Bystander footage from German news agency dpa, and the AP, showed police detaining the suspect at gunpoint.
—
Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 21 Dec. 2024
These plans included detaining undocumented immigrants in camps while awaiting deportation.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
Why Mangione may be fighting extradition With Mangione fighting extradition, a Pennsylvania court has given him 14 days to file for a writ of habeas corpus – putting the burden of proof on those detaining the person to justify the detention.
—Emma Tucker, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024
Russia has been accused of interfering with OSCE's monitoring missions in the country, allegedly seizing the organization's vehicles and detaining its monitors on allegations of spying for Kyiv.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
Biden had accused Assad’s regime of detaining Tice.
—Michael Collins, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
China and Hong Kong were noted as leading offenders, together detaining 135 journalists.
—Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
Enforcing border security is supposed to be up to federal agencies, but in the thousands of square miles along the border, sheriffs and their deputies are often the ones detaining getaways or rescuing migrants in need.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024
Since January, Mexican troops and agents have been detaining record numbers of migrants from Central and South America, Asia, Africa and elsewhere, arresting them on roads and in safe houses; pulling them from vehicles and freight trains; and catching them at airports and bus stations.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 26 Nov. 2024
Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 21 Dec. 2024
These plans included detaining undocumented immigrants in camps while awaiting deportation.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
Why Mangione may be fighting extradition With Mangione fighting extradition, a Pennsylvania court has given him 14 days to file for a writ of habeas corpus – putting the burden of proof on those detaining the person to justify the detention.
—Emma Tucker, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024
Russia has been accused of interfering with OSCE's monitoring missions in the country, allegedly seizing the organization's vehicles and detaining its monitors on allegations of spying for Kyiv.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
Biden had accused Assad’s regime of detaining Tice.
—Michael Collins, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
China and Hong Kong were noted as leading offenders, together detaining 135 journalists.
—Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
Enforcing border security is supposed to be up to federal agencies, but in the thousands of square miles along the border, sheriffs and their deputies are often the ones detaining getaways or rescuing migrants in need.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024
Since January, Mexican troops and agents have been detaining record numbers of migrants from Central and South America, Asia, Africa and elsewhere, arresting them on roads and in safe houses; pulling them from vehicles and freight trains; and catching them at airports and bus stations.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 26 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near detaining
Cite this Entry
“Detaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detaining. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share