Synonyms of detain

detain

verb

1

as in to arrest

to take or keep (someone) in confinement by authority of law

Police detained the suspect.

Related Words

• arrest
• apprehend
• seize
• restrain
• imprison
• confine
• jail
• restrict
• incarcerate
• run in
• nab
• constrain
• capture
• commit
• limit
• shut
• hold
• pull in
• nick
• pinch
• grab
• lock (up)
• pick up
• snatch
• nail
• gate
• bust
• immure
• collar
• trap
• catch
• grapple
• snap (up)
• bind
• bar
• intern
• snare
• jug
• land
• handcuff
• hook
• get
• remand
• enchain
• shackle
• fetter
• rearrest
• bag
• trammel
• manacle

Dissimilar Words

• liberate
• release
• loosen
• emancipate
• free
• loose
• spring
• discharge
• unbind
• unchain

2

as in to delay

to keep (someone or something) from proceeding or progressing

She sent word that she had been unavoidably detained.

The plane was detained for hours due to inclement weather.

Related Words

• delay
• slow
• hinder
• impede
• keep
• set back
• obstruct
• block
• suspend
• hesitate
• retard
• halt
• extend
• hold
• prolong
• snag
• lengthen
• hold up
• stem
• stall
• defer
• pause
• balk
• clog
• hold back
• dam
• stretch (out)
• terminate
• repress
• arrest
• baffle
• blockade
• protract
• cut off
• put over
• put off
• hold over
• conclude
• remit
• discontinue
• suppress
• stop
• bottleneck
• hold off (on)
• lay over
• check
• turn back
• shelve
• stay
• end
• catch
• rein (in)
• call
• pull up
• draw up
• still
• bring up
• squelch
• stanch
• choke off
• stunt
• squash
• fetch up

Dissimilar Words

• continue
• keep (on)
• persist
• proceed
• carry on
• run on
• keep up
• move
• advance
• march
• progress
• go along
• push
• stir
• drive
• fare
• spur
• follow through (with)
• propel
• wend
• budge
• impel
• actuate
• goad

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

Recent Examples of detain

The seismologist was detained in November 2024 by state security agents during a personal trip to visit his parents in Beijing, and he has been charged with espionage, Global Reach said. — ABC News, 14 July 2026

Zuniga-Salgado is also accused of being in the country illegally, resulting in Immigration and Customs Enforcement asking that he be detained for deportation, the sheriff’s office says. — Mark Price july 14, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2026

Police detained Maldonado at her apartment on the 1100 block of West 28th Street. — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026

Sacramento police have detained a person of interest connected to a stabbing Tuesday morning in McClatchy Park that left one man dead, according to officers. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026