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

The man arrested at Miami International Airport after chaotic reports of an active shooter Wednesday afternoon was firing toward the crowded terminal before he was detained by deputies, according to a Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office arrest report. — David Goodhue, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026

Hannah Einbinder and Susan Sarandon were reportedly among the over 100 protesters detained by the New York Police Department on Thursday. — Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2026

It is not yet confirmed if Einbinder and Sarandon were arrested or simply detained. — William Earl, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026

Deputies quickly got to him, detained him and secured the gun, which by that time was in his backpack, according to the report. — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026

Police, who said that they had been alerted to a stabbing by a Ukrainian citizen, said that a 31-year-old foreign national was detained as a suspect at the scene. — ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026

No further information is known about the man who officials say was mistakenly detained or the agents involved. — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026

Sarandon was detained, according to a number of outlets, including The New York Times, with photographers snapping images of the Oscar winner waiting to be transported from the protest. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2026

Continue reading … ON THE ROAD — 'Home Improvement' child star Jonathan Taylor Thomas detained by police. — FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026