detain

keep, retain, detain, withhold, reserve mean to hold in one's possession or under one's control. keep may suggest a holding securely in one's possession, custody, or control keep this while I'm gone. retain implies continued keeping, especially against threatened seizure or forced loss managed to retain their dignity even in poverty. detain suggests a delay in letting go detained them for questioning. withhold implies restraint in letting go or a refusal to let go withheld information from the authorities. reserve suggests a keeping in store for future use reserve some of your energy for the last mile.

delay, retard, slow, slacken, detain mean to cause to be late or behind in movement or progress. delay implies a holding back, usually by interference, from completion or arrival bad weather delayed our arrival. retard suggests reduction of speed without actual stopping language barriers retarded their progress. slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention medication slowed the patient's heart rate, slacken an easing up or relaxing of power or effort on hot days runners slacken their pace. detain implies a holding back beyond a reasonable or appointed time unexpected business had detained her.