Synonyms of detained

detained 1 of 2

verb

past tense of detain

1

as in arrested

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

Police detained the suspect.

Related Words

• arrested
• apprehended
• seized
• imprisoned
• jailed
• incarcerated
• restrained
• confined
• interned
• committed
• restricted
• captured
• nabbed
• collared
• ran in
• pinched
• locked (up)
• nicked
• limited
• held
• pulled in
• constrained
• shut
• picked up
• nailed
• busted
• grabbed
• barred
• snatched
• bust
• trapped
• jugged
• immured
• handcuffed
• bound
• caught
• snapped (up)
• gated
• shackled
• grappled
• remanded
• snared
• landed
• fettered
• rearrested
• hooked
• bagged
• manacled
• got
• enchained
• trammelled
• trammeled

Dissimilar Words

• released
• freed
• liberated
• emancipated
• sprang
• loosened
• sprung
• loosed
• discharged
• unbound
• unchained

2

as in slowed

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

• delayed
• slowed
• blocked
• set back
• suspended
• kept
• retarded
• impeded
• halted
• hindered
• stalled
• hesitated
• blockaded
• baffled
• obstructed
• paused
• balked
• snagged
• stemmed
• held up
• held
• extended
• held back
• arrested
• prolonged
• clogged
• dammed
• stretched (out)
• lengthened
• deferred
• protracted
• laid over
• remitted
• put over
• held over
• terminated
• put off
• repressed
• cut off
• shelved
• concluded
• bottlenecked
• ended
• discontinued
• held off (on)
• stopped
• checked
• turned back
• suppressed
• stayed
• stunted
• stilled
• reined (in)
• caught
• pulled up
• brought up
• drew up
• squashed
• called
• squelched
• choked off
• staunched
• stanched
• fetched up

Dissimilar Words

• continued
• carried on
• persisted
• kept (on)
• marched
• moved
• kept up
• proceeded
• advanced
• progressed
• ran on
• went along
• pushed
• stirred
• fared
• drove
• actuated
• followed through (with)
• impelled
• spurred
• propelled
• wended
• goaded
• budged

detained

2 of 2

adjective

as in delayed

Related Words

• delayed
• postponed
• delinquent
• behind
• tardy
• belated
• late
• dragging
• overdue
• pokey
• lagging
• latish
• unhurried
• behindhand
• laggard
• dilatory
• sluggish
• poky
• dawdling
• slow
• dallying
• dillydallying

Dissimilar Words

• early
• premature
• precocious
• untimely
• timely
• opportune
• unseasonable
• inopportune
• prompt
• seasonable
• punctual

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of detained

Adjective

South Korean workers detained during a massive immigration raid in Georgia Thursday will be returned to South Korea on a chartered flight following negotiations, an official announced Sunday. —Hanna Park, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2025

Venezuelans with expired protections were fired from jobs, separated from children, detained by officers and even deported, lawyers for TPS holders said. —Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2025

Federal immigration authorities detained Ageu Del Almeida Freitas after the 42-year-old Brazilian national tried to resist arrest. —Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025

More than 300 South Korean workers detained following a massive immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgia will be released and brought home, the South Korean government announced Sunday. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025

At least 300 of those detained were South Korean nationals, the country's foreign ministry said. —Kristina Foltz, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025

Six officers searched their residence, and the couple were detained for eight hours over a spat with Cowley Hill Primary School. —Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025

Seoul on Sunday said hundreds of South Korean workers detained by US immigration authorities will be flown back to Korea, after days of tense negotiations with Washington. —J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 2025

Routh has pleaded not guilty to the federal charges and remains detained ahead of trial, federal prison records show. —Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025