as in delayed
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1
as in arrested
to take or keep (someone) in confinement by authority of law
Police detained the suspect.
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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.
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Recent Examples of detained
ABC News,
21 June 2026
The Kansas City Police Department detained one man for further questioning.
—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
21 June 2026
But, Hearn said, he was then detained by National Guard troops and Park Police.
—
CBS News,
20 June 2026
That is a legal avenue to argue that a person should not be detained.
—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
20 June 2026
Oliver-Garcia has been detained since his arrest.
—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
20 June 2026
He has been detained while the case is pending and is next due in court on June 25.
—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
19 June 2026
Earlier that same day, a Venezuelan mother and her child had also been detained at the same courthouse.
—
Laura Rodríguez Presa,
Chicago Tribune,
19 June 2026
Organizers of the protest printed a handbook for demonstrators that included a map of the security perimeter, tips on how to gear up for the march, and advice on how to behave if detained by police.
—
Jamey Keaten,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
Verb
At the match's conclusion, at least one attendee wearing a pre-revolutionary flag shirt was detained for trying to run onto the pitch.
—
ABC News,
21 June 2026
The Kansas City Police Department detained one man for further questioning.
—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
21 June 2026
But, Hearn said, he was then detained by National Guard troops and Park Police.
—
CBS News,
20 June 2026
That is a legal avenue to argue that a person should not be detained.
—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
20 June 2026
Oliver-Garcia has been detained since his arrest.
—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
20 June 2026
He has been detained while the case is pending and is next due in court on June 25.
—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
19 June 2026
Earlier that same day, a Venezuelan mother and her child had also been detained at the same courthouse.
—
Laura Rodríguez Presa,
Chicago Tribune,
19 June 2026
Organizers of the protest printed a handbook for demonstrators that included a map of the security perimeter, tips on how to gear up for the march, and advice on how to behave if detained by police.
—
Jamey Keaten,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detained
Adjective
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The impact is already being felt across various regions, from a delayed start to the Indian monsoon to a temporary halt to Peru’s fishing season.
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That meant a delayed return to full activities.
Verb
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Police Scotland said that a 36-year-old man was arrested late Friday after officers received multiple reports of attacks in the west and north of Edinburgh.
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Bridges pointed to an encounter last year in which an officer threatened Breshari Faulkner with a Taser, pulled her from her car onto the ground and arrested her during a confrontation over a handicapped parking space in the same Walmart lot where Kohen was shot.
Adjective
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The amount that's ultimately forgiven depends on factors including the creditor, how delinquent the account is, your financial hardship and your overall debt profile.
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As if the sudden influx of orders weren't enough, Carmy also has to contend with feuding employees, a delinquent trainee, a distracted pastry chef, a dearth of giardiniera, and a dry Sharpie.
Verb
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As of Thursday, police had not apprehended Sanchez-Munoz.
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He was subsequently apprehended in Chicago, IL.
Cite this Entry
“Detained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detained. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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