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
The government launched a fierce crackdown, killing thousands of people and detaining tens of thousands.
—
Adam Geller, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
That includes detaining someone on the basis of their immigration status or the existence of an immigration detainer for them, or allowing ICE agents to access a person in detention, or providing information to ICE about someone's status.
—Michael Smith, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
This granted local police the right to assist immigration officials in arresting and detaining unauthorized immigrants.
—Menika Dirkson, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2026
The bill would bar local law enforcement from detaining people on behalf of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as well as sharing personal data and other resources for federal immigration enforcement.
—Dennis Valera, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
The hearing follows a Justice Department request from last month to dissolve a preliminary injunction barring the government from re-detaining Abrego Garcia, so he can be deported to the West African nation of Liberia.
—Laura Romero, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
Immigration agents are also detaining children, like 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, who was picked up in Minnesota, held at an ICE facility in Texas and released following a judge's order.
—Leila Fadel, NPR, 31 Mar. 2026
The harms of detaining children are known and well documented.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2026
After the hearing, Gorman’s family released a statement commending the judge for detaining Medina.
—Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Adam Geller, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
That includes detaining someone on the basis of their immigration status or the existence of an immigration detainer for them, or allowing ICE agents to access a person in detention, or providing information to ICE about someone's status.
—Michael Smith, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
This granted local police the right to assist immigration officials in arresting and detaining unauthorized immigrants.
—Menika Dirkson, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2026
The bill would bar local law enforcement from detaining people on behalf of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as well as sharing personal data and other resources for federal immigration enforcement.
—Dennis Valera, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
The hearing follows a Justice Department request from last month to dissolve a preliminary injunction barring the government from re-detaining Abrego Garcia, so he can be deported to the West African nation of Liberia.
—Laura Romero, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
Immigration agents are also detaining children, like 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, who was picked up in Minnesota, held at an ICE facility in Texas and released following a judge's order.
—Leila Fadel, NPR, 31 Mar. 2026
The harms of detaining children are known and well documented.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2026
After the hearing, Gorman’s family released a statement commending the judge for detaining Medina.
—Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detaining
Verb
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The task force did not answer questions about the use of traffic stops as a primary means of arresting immigrants who are not authorized to be in the United States.—
Wendi C. Thomas,
ProPublica,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The arresting officers had their badges out.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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For a worker with a $2,200 monthly benefit at full retirement age, living to 85 and delaying from 62 to 70 produces roughly $66,240 more in total lifetime benefits.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
16 Apr. 2026
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As a result, the agency halted balloon launches at some locations and is delaying them elsewhere.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Just before the 2026 season, former Glory defensive tackle and eight-time All-Pro Syreeta Gapelu brought even more attention to the team by tackling and apprehending a man attempting to steal her car.—
PJ Green
April 16,
Kansas City Star,
16 Apr. 2026
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Los Angeles ran from 2009 to 2023, centered around the high-stakes world of a division of NCIS that is charged with apprehending dangerous and elusive criminals, who pose a threat to the nation’s security.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Road closures have been seizing the country’s leafy capital, as vans disgorge military style kit bags and American personnel to match at top hotels.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
19 Apr. 2026
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Human Rights Watch said authorities have taken sweeping steps to curb religious practice, including tearing down churches and crosses, blocking gatherings at unregistered churches and seizing religious materials not approved by the state.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detaining. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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