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
Rocklin police assisted the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office by detaining him in a movie theater parking lot.
—
Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 6 Mar. 2026
The policy also prohibits officers from detaining someone with an administrative warrant at a place of worship, hospital or school unless exigent circumstances require immediate intervention to protect public safety.
—Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026
Denver city leaders unanimously passed a ban on all officers, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, from wearing face coverings while detaining or arresting people.
—Chierstin Roth, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
There is a real concern that what remains of the system may seek revenge for these events, targeting prisoners and political activists who are still outside prison, detaining them, and subjecting them to executions or severe punishments.
—Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
More than 400 judges across the United States have ruled that the administration is detaining immigrants unlawfully.
—Otis Moss Iii, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
Federal officers frequently deployed tear gas for crowd control in neighborhood clashes with activists, often detaining them along with immigrants.
—Sarah Raza, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
In the past month, community reports began to surface online of immigration agents detaining and arresting people in the Kansas City metro.
—Kendrick Calfee
updated February 25, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026
However, the administration has been increasingly detaining immigrants with no criminal record.
—Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 6 Mar. 2026
The policy also prohibits officers from detaining someone with an administrative warrant at a place of worship, hospital or school unless exigent circumstances require immediate intervention to protect public safety.
—Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026
Denver city leaders unanimously passed a ban on all officers, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, from wearing face coverings while detaining or arresting people.
—Chierstin Roth, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
There is a real concern that what remains of the system may seek revenge for these events, targeting prisoners and political activists who are still outside prison, detaining them, and subjecting them to executions or severe punishments.
—Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
More than 400 judges across the United States have ruled that the administration is detaining immigrants unlawfully.
—Otis Moss Iii, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
Federal officers frequently deployed tear gas for crowd control in neighborhood clashes with activists, often detaining them along with immigrants.
—Sarah Raza, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
In the past month, community reports began to surface online of immigration agents detaining and arresting people in the Kansas City metro.
—Kendrick Calfee
updated February 25, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026
However, the administration has been increasingly detaining immigrants with no criminal record.
—Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detaining
Verb
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The film is… touchingly funny, visually arresting and somehow a consistent joy to watch.—
Pat Saperstein,
Variety,
4 Mar. 2026
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In the last year, Mexican troops have been deployed across the country to quell narco-violence, arresting legions of cartel operatives, seizing tons of illicit drugs and busting hundreds of clandestine laboratories.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The union is calling for an inflationary increase to wages effective July 1, while Cassellius has proposed delaying inflationary raises until January to save money.—
Rory Linnane,
jsonline.com,
6 Mar. 2026
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The inspector general accused the department of blocking long-standing access to internal DHS databases used for oversight work, restricting data related to border enforcement and TSA programs, and delaying access to classified intelligence systems.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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An immigration approach that focuses on apprehending dangerous criminals and steers clear of raiding businesses might help the labor market’s loss of workers.—
Matt Peterson,
CNBC,
6 Mar. 2026
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Federal agents have targeted schools and bus stops, apprehending adults and children.—
Daniel Cueto-Villalobos,
The Conversation,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Ukraine accused Hungary’s pro-Russian government of taking the Ukrainians hostage and illegally seizing millions of dollars in cash.—
Justin Spike,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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The same thing happened in Saturday’s 3-2 win at Newcastle, with O’Brien seizing on Dan Burn’s clearing header.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detaining. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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