detain

verb

de·tain | \di-ˈtān,

dē-\

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

The apartment was stormed by police in riot gear and the group members were detained for a few days before authorities escorted them back to their hometowns. — Yanan Wang, The Seattle Times, "Missing elite Chinese university alumni spark outcry," 14 Nov. 2018 The authorities, unsurprisingly, did not rally behind al-Sharif the way women did; she was detained twice and imprisoned for nine days. — Michele Aboud, Glamour, "Saudi Arabia Was the Last Place in the World to Allow Women to Drive. Manal al-Sharif Helped Change That.," 5 Nov. 2018 What the military can legally do at the border US troops can’t detain, arrest, or search anyone at the border. — Alex Ward, Vox, "The Pentagon is resisting Trump’s most controversial military requests for the border," 5 Nov. 2018 Seventeen people were allegedly involved in the burglary ring: seven were arrested earlier this week, one is detained, and the remaining are still at large. — Dani Deahl, The Verge, "Seventeen charged in Apple theft ring that stole $1 million in merchandise," 28 Sep. 2018 There’s no official definition of a sanctuary city, but in general such municipalities do not allow their police departments to help Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, detain and deport immigrants. — Travis Andersen, BostonGlobe.com, "Sessions singles out ‘sanctuary city of Lawrence’ in N.H. opioid speech," 12 July 2018 That entails apprehending, detaining and deporting undocumented immigrants that the White House said has resulted in more than 127,000 arrests alone last year for people with criminal convictions. — Phillip M. Bailey, The Courier-Journal, "Abolish ICE movement pits practicality against passion for local Democrats," 10 July 2018 Officers from Staten Island Supreme Court and Criminal Court detained and questioned the three men. — Benjamin Mueller, New York Times, "Man Is Killed by Stolen Minivan After Gunfire Near Courthouse," 10 July 2018 Warren has called for abolishing the federal agency charged with detaining and deporting undocumented immigrants, while Harris has said it should be reexamined. — Felicia Sonmez, chicagotribune.com, "'Abolish ICE' demands draw White House rebuke," 4 July 2018

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.