1
as in to arrest
to take or keep (someone) in confinement by authority of law
Police detained the suspect.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to delay
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of detain
The original tip reportedly included accusations of labor law violations by the restaurant, but so far only workers apparently have been detained.
—
Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025
Many were detained during a surprise check-in at the ISAP Chicago office even after having complied fully with every requirement imposed by ICE, including wearing an ankle monitor, supporters said.
—Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2025
No one in the family was told what he was being detained for — or for how long he would be held, Lopez said.
—Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 5 June 2025
But his employment offer was formally revoked on April 3, just under a month after he was detained.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for detain
Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025
Many were detained during a surprise check-in at the ISAP Chicago office even after having complied fully with every requirement imposed by ICE, including wearing an ankle monitor, supporters said.
—Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2025
No one in the family was told what he was being detained for — or for how long he would be held, Lopez said.
—Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 5 June 2025
But his employment offer was formally revoked on April 3, just under a month after he was detained.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for detain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detain
Verb
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Carroll was arrested and charged with Woodward's murder and domestic abuse of Monica.—
Doc Louallen,
ABC News,
6 June 2025
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He was arrested and charged with a street racing/stunt driving violation, and his vehicle was impounded, the sheriff’s office said.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile, Boeing’s project has been hampered by stress corrosion cracks on the planes and excessive noise in the cabins from the decompression system, among other issues that have delayed delivery, according to a Government Accountability Office report released last year.—
Tara Copp,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2025
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Last year, the NFL reported a 20,000% increase in unauthorized drone activity over games between 2017 and 2023, some of which delayed games.—
Will McCurdy,
PC Magazine,
7 June 2025
Verb
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Kendall nearly escapes with the cash, but the cops arrive just in time to apprehend him.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
5 June 2025
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Tolbert was apprehended inside a hotel at 204 N. Washington St. in Ellis, Kansas, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation said in a statement.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2025
Verb
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Arrests made, guns seized after 5 musicians found dead near U.S. border Feds charge California man with threatening to kill Trump on Facebook Cold Case DNA Florida Emily Mae Czachor Emily Mae Czachor is a news editor at CBSNews.com.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
3 June 2025
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Flores, a 70-year-old retired welder, had illegally seized a home five years ago after its owner, the California Department of Transportation, had left it vacant.—
Liam Dillon,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detain. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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