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
Wcco Staff, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026
There are stories of Native American citizens getting detained by ICE agents who do not recognize tribal IDs.
—Bao Phi, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
Many of those stopped, questioned or detained appear to have no serious criminal history, Eilison said.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 12 Jan. 2026
So after record-breaking spending and assaults on our Constitution, that official report could claim fewer than 3% of those immigrants detained had any criminal record.
—Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
Of the more than 800 people considered arbitrarily detained for political reasons, the government has released only 49 as of Monday afternoon, according to human rights organization Penal Forum.
—Michael Rios, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
At least one person was detained, according to the outlet.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025
Silas Sampson, 22, was detained at the scene of the crash, according to police.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 8 Nov. 2025
An Irish citizen and United States green card holder will spend Thanksgiving in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, four months after she was detained in Chicago over misdemeanors from over a decade ago.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
Protesters were peaceful early in the afternoon, though WCCO saw at least three people detained in the evening as federal agents fired chemicals and explosives after warning people to clear the street and stop blocking traffic.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026
There are stories of Native American citizens getting detained by ICE agents who do not recognize tribal IDs.
—Bao Phi, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
Many of those stopped, questioned or detained appear to have no serious criminal history, Eilison said.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 12 Jan. 2026
So after record-breaking spending and assaults on our Constitution, that official report could claim fewer than 3% of those immigrants detained had any criminal record.
—Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
Of the more than 800 people considered arbitrarily detained for political reasons, the government has released only 49 as of Monday afternoon, according to human rights organization Penal Forum.
—Michael Rios, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
At least one person was detained, according to the outlet.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025
Silas Sampson, 22, was detained at the scene of the crash, according to police.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 8 Nov. 2025
An Irish citizen and United States green card holder will spend Thanksgiving in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, four months after she was detained in Chicago over misdemeanors from over a decade ago.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detained
Adjective
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And when sunrise was artificially delayed by three hours, the rate of the finches' singing intensified and commenced sooner compared with non-delayed sunrises.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
31 Dec. 2025
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Identity data from incidents like this is frequently reused later for delayed fraud.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
20 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Adolescence follows a 13-year-old boy, Jamie Miller (Cooper), who is accused and arrested for murdering a teenage girl in his class.—
Nicholas Rice,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
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Local officials have called for immigration authorities to leave the city and for the officer behind the shooting to be arrested.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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O’Hara said city police officers have responded to calls about cars abandoned because their drivers have been apprehended by immigration enforcement.—
Rebecca Santana,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Jan. 2026
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Timmons was apprehended on December 17, 2025, taken to Carroll County Central Booking, and served with a warrant.—
Andrew Adeolu,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The tax collector of the town of Granby has slated them for public auction to satisfy delinquent taxes and charges under state law, according to the town.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
10 Jan. 2026
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The delinquent financing totals $21 million, Santa Clara County real estate records show.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detained. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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