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

Police detained dozens of people as crowds gathered across the French capital following PSG's victory. —Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026

Nearly half have been detained at Dilley. —Jim Axelrod, CBS News, 31 May 2026

The man was detained and taken to the crime scene, police said. —Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 May 2026

Witnesses led officers to the suspect’s location near Parking Structure 8 and detained Akindahunsi without incident, police said. —City News Service, Daily News, 30 May 2026

Minnesota Congresswoman Kelly Morrison, a Democrat, visited in March after ICE detained thousands of people from her state and flew them to the encampment during the federal crackdown targeting Minneapolis. —Kristin Wright, NPR, 30 May 2026

Two neighborhood regulars — a boy who sold chocolate to support his blind parents and a woman who sold tamales on the corner — were detained and haven’t been heard from since, Camargo said. —Jack O'Connor, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026

Police said 23 people were detained. —Jovana Gec, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026

Since the rallies began, Turkey has detained more than 1,000 protesters. —Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025