1
as in arresting
to take or keep (someone) in confinement by authority of law
Police detained the suspect.
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2
as in delaying
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 detaining
Sanctuary laws prohibit local police from notifying federal immigration agents about undocumented immigrants and detaining them beyond release dates for transfer to immigration detention facilities or deportation.
—
Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
On June 6, 2025, federal agents raided a downtown garment business, detaining workers and arresting labor leader David Huerta, head of Service Employees International Union California.
—Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
Behind the story One of the really big stories on my beat covering China for the last decade has been Beijing's intensive ramp-up in detaining and persecuting Uyghurs, a primarily Muslim ethnic minority.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 26 May 2026
Law enforcement wearing masks and vests marked with ICE patches were seen pulling protesters out of a crowd and detaining them, with at least one protester dragged across the ground, video from Freedom News TV shows.
—Sarah Dewberry, CNN Money, 25 May 2026
The attacks paralyzed Davis as authorities searched for a suspect before detaining and arresting a disheveled Dominguez in May, days after the first fatal attack.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2026
On Monday, a federal judge in the Southern District of New York barred ICE agents from detaining people who show up for proceedings in New York City's immigration courts, with the order specifically banning action at 26 Federal Plaza, 201 Varick Street, and 290 Broadway.
—Allen Devlin, CBS News, 20 May 2026
Bill de Blasio had campaigned against aggressive policing, particularly the city’s controversial policy of briefly detaining people and patting them down for weapons.
—Elizabeth Glazer, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026
Both groups plan to work with community rapid response networks if ICE begins detaining people, and to connect them with lawyers if needed.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 18 May 2026
Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
On June 6, 2025, federal agents raided a downtown garment business, detaining workers and arresting labor leader David Huerta, head of Service Employees International Union California.
—Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
Behind the story One of the really big stories on my beat covering China for the last decade has been Beijing's intensive ramp-up in detaining and persecuting Uyghurs, a primarily Muslim ethnic minority.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 26 May 2026
Law enforcement wearing masks and vests marked with ICE patches were seen pulling protesters out of a crowd and detaining them, with at least one protester dragged across the ground, video from Freedom News TV shows.
—Sarah Dewberry, CNN Money, 25 May 2026
The attacks paralyzed Davis as authorities searched for a suspect before detaining and arresting a disheveled Dominguez in May, days after the first fatal attack.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2026
On Monday, a federal judge in the Southern District of New York barred ICE agents from detaining people who show up for proceedings in New York City's immigration courts, with the order specifically banning action at 26 Federal Plaza, 201 Varick Street, and 290 Broadway.
—Allen Devlin, CBS News, 20 May 2026
Bill de Blasio had campaigned against aggressive policing, particularly the city’s controversial policy of briefly detaining people and patting them down for weapons.
—Elizabeth Glazer, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026
Both groups plan to work with community rapid response networks if ICE begins detaining people, and to connect them with lawyers if needed.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 18 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detaining
Verb
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Soccer Bosses The case was unveiled to great fanfare in May 2015 after authorities executed a dawn raid at a five-star hotel in Switzerland, arresting soccer bosses and businessmen who gathered for an annual meeting.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
27 May 2026
-
On June 6, 2025, federal agents raided a downtown garment business, detaining workers and arresting labor leader David Huerta, head of Service Employees International Union California.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2026
Verb
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Hilton proposes to reform the California Environmental Quality Act so that only government prosecutors can sue, preventing private individuals and organizations from stopping or delaying new housing projects.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
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Nearly 40% of calls handled by Sacramento’s emergency medical services system were non-emergencies, tying up ambulances and paramedics, delaying urgent medical responses and adding nearly $5 million in costs to the city, according to a city audit.—
Reeti Malhotra
May 29,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2026
Verb
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The Nodaway County Sheriff’s Office, United States Marshals Service and New Mexico State Police assisted in apprehending Jones, Hann said.—
Caroline Zimmerman
May 28,
Kansas City Star,
28 May 2026
-
Federal immigration agents fanned across the city, apprehending workers at car washes, garment businesses, Home Depots and other locations.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Survivors describe squeezing through treacherous tunnels and seizing a brief drop in water levels to walk out, as tearful scenes greeted their emergence and uncertainty lingers over the missing pair.—
Jintamas Saksornchai,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
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In recent years, the Houthis have demonstrated their ability to disrupt maritime navigation near Bab al-Mandeb by attacking, seizing and sinking vessels passing through its waters.—
CNN Staff,
CNN Money,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detaining. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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