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

Khalil does not want to be shot at, or sought by the secret police, or detained in some for-profit gulag. — Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026

When Diallo is nervous about check-ins with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Wilson goes with him and holds his car keys, in case he’s detained. — Claire Galofaro, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026

And even though Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are not allowed to carry out arrests in court anymore, immigrants who have to show up in person for hearings run the risk of being detained while in transit. — Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026

Federal authorities detained him at Los Angeles International Airport in July 2024. — ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026

The district attorney's office didn't say if the other people detained would face charges. — Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026

Each year there is heavy police presence at the site around the anniversary, and some people have been detained after showing up with flowers or candles. — Jennifer Jett, NBC news, 11 Sep. 2026

As a result, water is often scarce, and small protests have erupted, despite the fear of being detained, as anger and frustration boil over. — Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026

Several others have also been detained or accused of conspiring about the attacks. — Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026