1
as in arresting
to take or keep (someone) in confinement by authority of law
Police detained the suspect.
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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.
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Recent Examples of detaining
If investigators succeed in detaining Yoon, they are expected to request court approval for a formal arrest.
—
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
On Monday, security forces conducted raids in Adra, a suburb of Damascus, detaining alleged loyalists of the former regime.
—Natalie Venegas, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
Police clashed with demonstrators, briefly detaining several individuals.
—Kaelan Deese, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Dec. 2024
This led to a recent Free Press investigation of three cases where lawyers complained in recent years to authorities about two local judges, including Judge Kenneth King detaining a sleepy teen in Detroit.
—Leah Olajide, Detroit Free Press, 26 Dec. 2024
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
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
On Monday, security forces conducted raids in Adra, a suburb of Damascus, detaining alleged loyalists of the former regime.
—Natalie Venegas, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
Police clashed with demonstrators, briefly detaining several individuals.
—Kaelan Deese, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Dec. 2024
This led to a recent Free Press investigation of three cases where lawyers complained in recent years to authorities about two local judges, including Judge Kenneth King detaining a sleepy teen in Detroit.
—Leah Olajide, Detroit Free Press, 26 Dec. 2024
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
Thesaurus Entries Near detaining
Cite this Entry
“Detaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detaining. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
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