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
Video published on YouTube by the Figueroa family shows immigration agents detaining a man on a city street while a handful of passersby protest the arrest.
—
Michael Loria, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
The vehicle is seen parked near others that federal agents were seen using while detaining a person.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 29 Oct. 2025
But local journalists confirmed the video was of agents detaining a protester.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Armed agents with fully automatic weapons of war stand outside the ICE facility in South Waterfront, where the city recently accused the agency of violating its own land-use permit by detaining people overnight.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Iran has accused France of arbitrarily detaining Mahdieh Esfandiari, an Iranian student living in the French city of Lyon, who was arrested this year over anti-Israel social media posts.
—CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
Police ultimately arrested a 19-year-old white man for the shooting days after mistakenly detaining Leasy.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 10 Oct. 2025
At a recent forum on public safety sponsored by the policy journal Vital City, he was asked about police involuntarily detaining the mentally ill.
—Eric Lach, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2025
The mayor also referenced ICE officers reportedly detaining Chicago Alderperson Jessie Fuentes and utilizing tear gas on residents on Friday.
—Max Rego, The Hill, 6 Oct. 2025
Michael Loria, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
The vehicle is seen parked near others that federal agents were seen using while detaining a person.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 29 Oct. 2025
But local journalists confirmed the video was of agents detaining a protester.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Armed agents with fully automatic weapons of war stand outside the ICE facility in South Waterfront, where the city recently accused the agency of violating its own land-use permit by detaining people overnight.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Iran has accused France of arbitrarily detaining Mahdieh Esfandiari, an Iranian student living in the French city of Lyon, who was arrested this year over anti-Israel social media posts.
—CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
Police ultimately arrested a 19-year-old white man for the shooting days after mistakenly detaining Leasy.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 10 Oct. 2025
At a recent forum on public safety sponsored by the policy journal Vital City, he was asked about police involuntarily detaining the mentally ill.
—Eric Lach, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2025
The mayor also referenced ICE officers reportedly detaining Chicago Alderperson Jessie Fuentes and utilizing tear gas on residents on Friday.
—Max Rego, The Hill, 6 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detaining
Verb
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Start with one of Alexandra Llewellyn’s exquisite, handmade board games, which turns chess or backgammon into a feast for the eyes, so tactile and arresting, tempting you to play just one more game.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
11 Nov. 2025
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The video shows immigration agents arresting a man later identified as Dennis Quiñonez, as people shout that there is a child in the back of the car.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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These cuts mean reducing supply budgets in most departments, delaying the purchase of new math curriculum and Chromebooks, freezing hiring for nonclassroom positions and canceling contract agreements that will not disrupt operations.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
7 Nov. 2025
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In such cases, delaying treatment may worsen the condition.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Bands of masked men apprehending people in broad daylight in the streets and hauling them off.—
J. David McSwane,
ProPublica,
18 Oct. 2025
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The swift police response and use of video surveillance technology proved crucial in identifying and apprehending the shooter.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Monday’s agreement stems from the August 2023 search of the Marion County Record, as well as the home of the paper’s publisher and a councilwoman, seizing reporters’ cell phones and computers, among other items.—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
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Since seizing power, the Burmese military has waged an unrelenting campaign of terror.—
Kim Aris,
Time,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detaining. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.
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