detention

1 the state of being held in lawful custody he's been in detention since the arrest Synonyms of detention detainer, detainment, hold, immurement, imprisonment, incarceration Words Related to detention captivity, confinement, internment; apprehension, arrest, arrestment, bust [slang], collar, pinch; capture, entrapment, seizure; enchainment, restraint Near Antonyms of detention emancipation, freedom, liberation Antonyms of detention discharge, release

2 an instance or period of being prevented from going about one's business an inane joke about a bomb netted the airline passenger no laughs, only a two-hour detention that caused him to miss his flight Synonyms of detention detainment, delay, holdback, holding pattern, holdup, waitWords Related to detention deferment, deferral, postponement; reprieve, respite; foot-dragging, hesitation, lag, pause, setback, slowdownNear Antonyms of detention haste, rush; dispatch, promptitude, promptness