detain

verb

Save Word

de·tain | \ di-ˈtān

, dē- \

detained; detaining; detains

Definition of detain

transitive verb

1 : to hold or keep in or as if in custody detained by the police for questioning

2 obsolete : to keep back (something due) : withhold

3 : to restrain especially from proceeding was detained by a flat tire

Other Words from detain Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More About detain

Keep scrolling for more

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of detain in a Sentence

They were detained by the police for questioning. He claimed he had been illegally detained. Unexpected business had detained her.

Recent Examples on the Web In the procedural hearing, Judge Howard M. Maltz informed Fucci of his rights, the charges and the probable cause to detain him. — Marlene Lenthang, ABC News, 28 May 2021 Caught unawares The extraordinary steps taken to detain him amounted to the hijacking of a commercial flight and a violation of air travel protocol. — Viktoria Dendrinou, Fortune, 25 May 2021 Shortly after, an officer approached Nagaishi and a photographer to detain them. — Perry Vandell, The Arizona Republic, 19 May 2021 In addition to the hate crime charges, the indictment alleges all three defendants attempted to unlawfully seize and confine Arbery in an attempt to restrict his free movement and detain him against his will. — Erin Donaghue, CBS News, 12 May 2021 The man visibly resisted when officers tried to detain him. — Rafael Olmeda, sun-sentinel.com, 7 May 2021 One woman gave officers a short foot chase down the block after fleeing officers who tried to detain her. — Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 5 May 2021 Jerry Jones is now supposedly all-in on defense, which would be news to Antwaun Woods, the rare Cowboy last season who could consistently A.) identify someone with a football and B.) detain him until backup arrived. — Kevin Sherrington, Dallas News, 5 May 2021 Federal prosecutors also said the men chased Mr. Arbery in their trucks in an attempt to restrain and detain him against his will. — Sadie Gurman, WSJ, 28 Apr. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'detain.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.