detain

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 Yu has been detained since May at the Eloy Detention Center after a judge issued a final order of removal in 2005. Ronald J. Hansen, AZCentral.com, 5 Sep. 2025 After being released into the custody of his brother in Maryland pending trial, he was again detained by immigration authorities, who indicated their intention to deport him. Laura Romero, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2025 The Butler County Jail can detain people living in the country illegally who have not committed a crime, according to the Ohio attorney general. Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 30 Aug. 2025 Mangione remains detained without bail as both federal and state prosecutions move forward. Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for detain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detain
Verb
  • In December 2022, Kendra Licari was arrested and charged with multiple counts of stalking and using a computer to commit a crime, reported ABC News and the Morning Sun, a news outlet based in Mount Pleasant, Michigan.
    Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Miami police on Tuesday arrested the father of a teen who was stabbed to death inside a Brickell condominium in June on a charge of violating a domestic violence injunction, his attorneys said.
    David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • After lightning delayed kickoff for an hour, Colleyville Heritage (1-1) fell behind quickly in a back-and-forth game.
    Jordan Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2025
  • In the last few years, Beyoncé, Pink, and Noah Kahan, among others, have had concerts canceled or delayed by extreme lightning, rain, or wildfire smoke.
    David Browne, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Nunez was apprehended two days later near an upscale apartment complex and now faces a potential sentence of up to a decade in federal prison, if convicted.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Suppose the number is read in one case out of a hundred, and that the information reaches someone who apprehends the culprit in one case out of one thousand.
    Thomas Brewster, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • That initial investigation led the HPD to obtain a search warrant to seize electronic devices from the property associated with the IP address of the cyber tip, and the department investigated online communications.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Sep. 2025
  • In addition, several firearms and drugs were seized from other residences, according to police.
    Jack Moore, ABC News, 6 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Detain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detain. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on detain

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