detain

1
2

Synonym Chooser

How is the word detain distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of detain are delay, retard, slacken, and slow. While all these words mean "to cause to be late or behind in movement or progress," detain implies a holding back beyond a reasonable or appointed time.

unexpected business had detained her

When is delay a more appropriate choice than detain?

While in some cases nearly identical to detain, delay implies a holding back, usually by interference, from completion or arrival.

bad weather delayed our arrival

In what contexts can retard take the place of detain?

In some situations, the words retard and detain are roughly equivalent. However, retard suggests reduction of speed without actual stopping.

language barriers retarded their progress

When might slacken be a better fit than detain?

Although the words slacken and detain have much in common, slacken suggests an easing up or relaxing of power or effort.

on hot days runners slacken their pace

How do slow and slacken relate to one another, in the sense of detain?

Both slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention.

medication slowed the patient's heart rate

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of detain After waiting for nearly seven hours, ICE agents detained her, placed her in shackles, and transported her between jails before confining her to Greene County Jail. Jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025 Smollett was detained for six days but was later vindicated by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2024, citing his previous agreement with Kim Foxx, the then-Cook County state attorney. Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 23 May 2025 Zambada was detained along with Joaquin Guzman Lopez, a son of El Chapo. CBS News, 23 May 2025 Over the past few months, university students and activists on valid visas have been pursued by ICE and subsequently detained or even deported for being outspoken on political issues. Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for detain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detain
Verb
  • Officers went to the townhouse and arrested Woeltz, who is charged with assault, kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment and criminal possession of a gun.
    John Bacon, USA Today, 26 May 2025
  • On March 8, 1990, when Lyle was arrested in connection with their parents' murders, Erik was competing in a tennis tournament in Israel.
    Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2025
Verb
  • At least three lawsuits have been filed against the company for delaying the features and circulating misleading iPhone 16 ads regarding Apple Intelligence.
    Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 26 May 2025
  • Newark’s airport was again plagued by delays over Memorial Day weekend, with more than 150 flights in and 230 flights out delayed on Saturday, according to flight-tracking data.
    Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 25 May 2025
Verb
  • The Sun newspaper reports that, back in 2006, Pike – who starred as Amy Dunne in Gone Girl alongside Ben Affleck and also appeared in Bond film Die Another Day – was speaking to her mother on the phone when she was violently apprehended by a thief on a bicycle.
    Caroline Frost, Deadline, 25 May 2025
  • Like many of those apprehended this week, Fonseca Solorzano arrived in the United States from Honduras via CPB One, an application set up during the Biden administration that provided asylum seekers a way to enter the country legally after going through a background check.
    Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025
Verb
  • But is Simone now the villain – or simply someone with a tough upbringing who seized an opportunity to secure her future?
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
  • Officials with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms conducted a search at Ross’ home in Oklahoma and seized materials that were used to build the explosive devices, police said.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Detain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detain. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on detain

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!