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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Dissimilar Words
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Recent Examples of detaining
The Israeli navy intercepted an aid flotilla with dozens of boats attempting to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza on Wednesday night into Thursday, detaining over 20 flotilla ships and 175 activists.
—
Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 30 Apr. 2026
And in Kansas City, a recent federal lawsuit accused authorities of unlawfully detaining dozens of people, including four Missouri and Kansas immigrants who were held in custody without bond for months.
—Sofi Zeman
april 25, Kansas City Star, 25 Apr. 2026
The incident, which was captured on video by a bystander, showed dozens of officers surrounding the business and detaining employees.
—Logan Hall, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
Marriott’s report was the first time a British aid charity had documented how taxpayers’ money was funding a business accused of detaining impoverished African patients.
—Hettie O'Brien, The Dial, 21 Apr. 2026
Juveniles were seen fleeing but despite detaining several people for questioning, no one was charged, the release said.
—Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Along with erecting tent jails for detaining immigrants, agents have used racial profiling during immigration raids.
—Jonathan Van Harmelen, The Conversation, 20 Apr. 2026
Immigration and Customs Enforcement resolved that issue on April 3 by detaining Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and Sarinasadat Hosseiny, the niece and grandniece of the late Iranian commander.
—Danielle Pletka, Washington Post, 19 Apr. 2026
The government launched a fierce crackdown, killing thousands of people and detaining tens of thousands.
—Adam Geller, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 30 Apr. 2026
And in Kansas City, a recent federal lawsuit accused authorities of unlawfully detaining dozens of people, including four Missouri and Kansas immigrants who were held in custody without bond for months.
—Sofi Zeman
april 25, Kansas City Star, 25 Apr. 2026
The incident, which was captured on video by a bystander, showed dozens of officers surrounding the business and detaining employees.
—Logan Hall, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
Marriott’s report was the first time a British aid charity had documented how taxpayers’ money was funding a business accused of detaining impoverished African patients.
—Hettie O'Brien, The Dial, 21 Apr. 2026
Juveniles were seen fleeing but despite detaining several people for questioning, no one was charged, the release said.
—Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Along with erecting tent jails for detaining immigrants, agents have used racial profiling during immigration raids.
—Jonathan Van Harmelen, The Conversation, 20 Apr. 2026
Immigration and Customs Enforcement resolved that issue on April 3 by detaining Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and Sarinasadat Hosseiny, the niece and grandniece of the late Iranian commander.
—Danielle Pletka, Washington Post, 19 Apr. 2026
The government launched a fierce crackdown, killing thousands of people and detaining tens of thousands.
—Adam Geller, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detaining
Verb
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The affidavit further alleges that Bell gave arresting officers the name of her older sister.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
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The Houston Police Department’s policy has barred officers from arresting or detaining someone based on immigration status since 1990.—
Anna Giaritelli,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Republicans hold a narrow lead in those gerrymandering wars, and more GOP-leaning states are now either delaying primaries or mulling calling special sessions to redraw new lines.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
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Louisiana Republicans are now delaying US House primaries just a day after the high court’s decision.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
1 May 2026
Verb
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The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 compelled authorities in northern free states to assist in apprehending and returning those who escaped back to slavery.—
Jeremy Mennis,
The Conversation,
1 May 2026
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Aided by the Coast Guard's Cutter Florence Finch, Air and Marine Operations' Long Beach Marine Unit crew intercepted the boat near San Nicolas Island, apprehending 29 Mexican nationals.—
Robert McGreevy,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That’s not currently the case with José Caballero, a career utilityman, seizing his shot to start at shortstop over the past few weeks.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
3 May 2026
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Unlike Friday’s Oaks, where Ortiz had Always a Runner near the leaders before taking charge through the final turn and soaring past Meaning for a 1 1/4-length win, seizing the Derby required everything from jockey and mount.—
Gary B. Graves,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detaining. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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