1
as in to arrest
to take or keep (someone) in confinement by authority of law
Police detained the suspect.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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.
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of detain
Kyiv says are detained in Russia – shows what is at stake for Ukraine.
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Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 16 Feb. 2025
The 28-year-old was detained at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport on Feb. 7 after a K-9 with the Russian Federal Customs Service detected something in his luggage, Russia’s TASS news agency reported.
—Greg Norman, Fox News, 15 Feb. 2025
The man was detained by TSA and passengers were taken off the plane as authorities conducted a security sweep.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 14 Feb. 2025
Hain attributed the increase to more rigid guidelines for judges on deciding whether or not to detain an individual.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detain
Verb
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What To Know Jack Lasota, 34, was arrested on Sunday along with Michelle Zajko, 33.—
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The Bensalem Police Department said 21-year-old Harrison Jones, of Rockford, Mich., was arrested for setting fire to a home with six people inside.—
Verb
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The opening of the jail had been delayed, the red carpet stored away, the prisoners' transfers into this facility put on hold.—
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Additionally, decisions on pending petitions to expand coverage to autoimmune and cardiac conditions will be delayed and there will be fewer people to intervene when there are problems with prescriptions and treatment, according to Chevat.—
Verb
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The third suspect was apprehended within the hour and was injured when a police dog took him down in the area of Wilson Street and Sunnyside Avenue, Spagnolo said last week.—
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He was then apprehended by two officers without any resistance, police said.—
Verb
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The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit seized 148 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, according to a statement the sheriff's office posted to Facebook.—
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Police then seized the remaining $1,600, which was returned to the victim after a property hearing Feb. 13.—
Cite this Entry
“Detain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detain. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.
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