Synonyms of detaining

detaining

verb

present participle of detain

1

as in arresting

to take or keep (someone) in confinement by authority of law

Police detained the suspect.

Related Words

• arresting
• apprehending
• seizing
• restraining
• jailing
• imprisoning
• incarcerating
• confining
• restricting
• limiting
• pinching
• nicking
• committing
• shutting
• capturing
• holding
• nabbing
• constraining
• nailing
• running in
• grabbing
• pulling in
• collaring
• locking (up)
• snatching
• busting
• interning
• trapping
• barring
• picking up
• handcuffing
• gating
• snaring
• jugging
• catching
• bagging
• grappling
• hooking
• immuring
• snapping (up)
• binding
• landing
• remanding
• shackling
• fettering
• getting
• enchaining
• manacling
• trammeling
• rearresting

Dissimilar Words

• releasing
• freeing
• springing
• loosening
• emancipating
• liberating
• loosing
• discharging
• unchaining
• unbinding

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.

Related Words

• delaying
• slowing
• blocking
• hindering
• retarding
• keeping
• impeding
• obstructing
• suspending
• blockading
• snagging
• stalling
• stemming
• extending
• halting
• pausing
• hesitating
• holding
• prolonging
• balking
• lengthening
• clogging
• deferring
• baffling
• holding back
• holding up
• setting back
• damming
• stretching (out)
• arresting
• terminating
• repressing
• protracting
• remitting
• holding over
• shelving
• bottlenecking
• concluding
• ending
• discontinuing
• cutting off
• holding off (on)
• stopping
• suppressing
• putting over
• putting off
• checking
• staying
• squashing
• stunting
• turning back
• laying over
• squelching
• stilling
• calling
• catching
• reining (in)
• pulling up
• bringing up
• stanching
• drawing up
• choking off
• fetching up

Dissimilar Words

• continuing
• persisting
• keeping (on)
• carrying on
• proceeding
• moving
• advancing
• keeping up
• running on
• marching
• progressing
• pushing
• stirring
• driving
• going along
• actuating
• following through (with)
• propelling
• spurring
• faring
• impelling
• wending
• goading
• budging

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of detaining

That’s due, in part, to the administration’s unwillingness to target threats to public safety and instead detaining as many unauthorized immigrants as possible, immigration attorneys and advocates say. —Aileen Clarke, Houston Chronicle, 6 May 2026

The sheriff's department released body-camera video of deputies detaining Lambert near a concession stand after witnesses pointed her out. —ABC News, 5 May 2026

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