Synonyms of detained

detained 1 of 2

adjective

as in delayed

Related Words

• delayed
• postponed
• delinquent
• behind
• tardy
• belated
• late
• dragging
• overdue
• 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

detained

2 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
• collared
• nabbed
• captured
• ran in
• pinched
• locked (up)
• nicked
• limited
• held
• pulled in
• constrained
• shut
• picked up
• nailed
• busted
• grabbed
• barred
• snatched
• trapped
• jugged
• immured
• handcuffed
• bound
• caught
• snapped (up)
• gated
• shackled
• grappled
• remanded
• snared
• landed
• fettered
• rearrested
• hooked
• bagged
• manacled
• got
• enchained
• trammeled

Dissimilar Words

• released
• freed
• liberated
• emancipated
• sprang
• loosened
• 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
• hindered
• stalled
• halted
• hesitated
• blockaded
• baffled
• obstructed
• paused
• balked
• snagged
• stemmed
• held up
• held
• held back
• extended
• prolonged
• arrested
• clogged
• dammed
• stretched (out)
• lengthened
• deferred
• protracted
• laid over
• remitted
• put over
• held over
• terminated
• put off
• cut off
• shelved
• repressed
• concluded
• bottlenecked
• ended
• discontinued
• held off (on)
• stopped
• checked
• turned back
• suppressed
• stunted
• stayed
• stilled
• reined (in)
• pulled up
• caught
• brought up
• drew up
• squashed
• called
• squelched
• choked off
• 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of detained

Verb

Israeli soldiers fired tear gas at residents near the house and detained three people, Abdah said. — Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026

The 26-year-old man crashed the vehicle that was used to haul luggage and tried to take another vehicle in the airfield, but was detained by Airport Police Services, a spokesperson for John Wayne Airport said. — Breaking News, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Lopez said officers detained her and her former partner before the apartment search, even though her family had nothing to do with the shooting in the area. — Amy Corral, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

He had been detained in Juba, South Sudan’s capital, since July 2025. — ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026

Another American, identified as Victim-8, was detained in August 2023 while traveling to Venezuela to visit family members. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026

The alleged attacker was detained and interrogated by Saudi authorities. — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026

Saudi authorities detained the co-pilot and questioned passengers and crew for about seven hours before a replacement plane flew them to Tel Aviv. — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2026

During the almost two weeks Calderon was detained in Leavenworth, his supporters in De Soto were worried about his health. — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026