1
as in arresting
to take or keep (someone) in confinement by authority of law
Police detained the suspect.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of detaining
The airport push ended, but not before construction of a 10,500-square-foot runway that, decades later, DeSantis said made the site a perfect place for detaining immigration violators and putting them on deportation flights.
—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
25 June 2026
The ruling was issued as part of a class-action lawsuit filed by noncitizens challenging ICE’s recent practice of making arrests at immigration courthouses and detaining people for extended periods in facilities designed for short-term holds.
—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2026
Police released multiple images of the bust, showing the drugs concealed in large containers as well as officers collecting evidence and detaining a suspect.
—
CBS News,
22 June 2026
Some human rights experts have said that detaining such a high-ranking and high-profile doctor has left a chilling effect.
—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
20 June 2026
Parias' case showcases the nexus of the issues — and the narrow scope of oversight and resources within the judicial and agency level for someone injured by the federal agency that is also detaining them.
—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
20 June 2026
Padilla’s plan would eliminate the detention of families and would also require DHS to prove someone’s level of criminal threat and conviction history before using it as justification for detaining them.
—
Evelyn Ronan,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
Even though this new policy ran counter to the way the rules for arresting and detaining noncitizens had been enforced for decades prior, ICE immediately began operating accordingly.
—
Tasha Carvell,
Twin Cities,
8 June 2026
Members of Immigration and Customs Enforcement will be staffed in Los Angeles during the World Cup but will not be actively detaining foreign travelers, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said this week.
—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
25 June 2026
The ruling was issued as part of a class-action lawsuit filed by noncitizens challenging ICE’s recent practice of making arrests at immigration courthouses and detaining people for extended periods in facilities designed for short-term holds.
—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2026
Police released multiple images of the bust, showing the drugs concealed in large containers as well as officers collecting evidence and detaining a suspect.
—
CBS News,
22 June 2026
Some human rights experts have said that detaining such a high-ranking and high-profile doctor has left a chilling effect.
—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
20 June 2026
Parias' case showcases the nexus of the issues — and the narrow scope of oversight and resources within the judicial and agency level for someone injured by the federal agency that is also detaining them.
—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
20 June 2026
Padilla’s plan would eliminate the detention of families and would also require DHS to prove someone’s level of criminal threat and conviction history before using it as justification for detaining them.
—
Evelyn Ronan,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
Even though this new policy ran counter to the way the rules for arresting and detaining noncitizens had been enforced for decades prior, ICE immediately began operating accordingly.
—
Tasha Carvell,
Twin Cities,
8 June 2026
Members of Immigration and Customs Enforcement will be staffed in Los Angeles during the World Cup but will not be actively detaining foreign travelers, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said this week.
—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detaining
Verb
-
An Observer reporter witnessed officers arresting one individual wearing a custom face mask and another who was placed in the back of a police four-wheeler.
-
Making a comeback on the Milan men’s calendar after a decade’s absence and under new ownership, Caruso made a big impression with its breezy and slyly nonchalant tailoring done up in an arresting array of unusual colors.
Verb
-
The company is a major investor in OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, and a report in The New York Times suggested OpenAI is considering delaying an initial public offering of its stock to next year from the second half of this year.
-
The company is a major investor in OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, and a report in The New York Times suggested OpenAI is considering delaying an initial public offering of its stock to next year from the second half of this year.
Verb
-
Police posted video of the raid on social media, showing officers collecting evidence at the scene and apprehending the suspect.
-
The Nodaway County Sheriff’s Office, United States Marshals Service and New Mexico State Police assisted in apprehending Jones, Hann said.
Verb
-
Last month, police raided the teen’s home on Creekside Drive, seizing $1,300 in cash and a box containing packages of edible cannabis products, which were similar to what the girl allegedly ingested, authorities said.
-
These stories emphasize that skill, belief, and groundwork are crucial for seizing opportunities, proving that true breakthroughs are built on long-term preparation.
Cite this Entry
“Detaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detaining. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
