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
• halted
• 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
• stunted
• stayed
• stilled
• reined (in)
• caught
• pulled up
• 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

Migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers who are detained also deserve humane and equal treatment free from discrimination under the convention. —Stefanie Dazio, Arkansas Online, 15 Mar. 2026

The government has also detained at least four thousand children, sending many of them to a notoriously grim facility in South Texas called Dilley. —Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2026

In September, 95 members of Congress requested a full accounting from the DHS of how many active DACA recipients had been detained or deported since January 2025, including where and when those arrests occurred. —Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026

Its captain also has been detained on suspicion of using a false document. —ABC News, 15 Mar. 2026

Police said five suspects were detained for questioning, and 17-year-old Maverik Parish was arrested and faces a murder charge, according to jail records. —Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Mar. 2026

But instead of saving money, the costs for off-site hospital care for people detained in county jails has soared — and now Sheriff Kelly Martinez is turning to a new provider to control expenses. —Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026

Police said five people inside the vehicle were detained. —Timia Cobb, Dallas Morning News, 15 Mar. 2026

State media said police had detained five people and one drunken participant fell over and was being treated for injuries in hospital. —Dave Sherwood, USA Today, 14 Mar. 2026