detain
verb
transitive verb
Example Sentences
Ashley Remkus | Aremkus@al.com, al, 26 Aug. 2022 The criminal complaint filed in the case described a fracas that lasted as long as seven minutes and required the help of a fourth individual – a citizen – to detain the man. Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2022 Several times during the war, the Russians have agreed to allow humanitarian corridors to evacuate besieged cities, only to fire on those corridors and at times detain some of those fleeing. New York Times, 29 July 2022 After a third law enforcement officer arrives, all three try to detain the man in a room. Elisha Fieldstadt, NBC News, 21 July 2022 Lopez, 51, was trying to detain a man suspected of theft when he was shot, according to Sheriff David Rhodes. Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 1 July 2022 Officers were able to locate and detain the man a short distance from the home. cleveland, 4 Mar. 2022 As police attempted to detain the man, a separate black SUV fled the scene and crashed at the intersection of La Palma Avenue and Brookhurst Street, killing its two passengers, whose names have not been released. Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2022 Three security guards tried to detain the man and that’s when the struggle unfolded, police said. David Hernandez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2022 See More Word History
Middle English deteynen, from Anglo-French deteign-, stem of detenir, modification of Latin detinēre, from de- + tenēre to hold — more at thin
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
detain
verb
Legal Definition
detain
transitive verb
detain
verb
Synonyms & Similar Words
- arrest
- apprehend
- seize
- imprison
- restrain
- incarcerate
- nab
- confine
- jail
- restrict
- capture
- constrain
- limit
- run in
- commit
- hold
- shut
- nick
- pull in
- collar
- pinch
- grab
- snatch
- nail
- pick up
- bust
- intern
- gate
- jug
- immure
- handcuff
- catch
- bar
- trap
- grapple
- snare
- land
- bind
- shackle
- lock (up)
- fetter
- hook
- rearrest
- bag
- remand
- enchain
- get
- trammel
- snap (up)
- manacle
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- liberate
- loosen
- emancipate
- release
- loose
- free
- spring
- discharge
- unchain
- unbind
Synonyms & Similar Words
- delay
- slow
- hinder
- impede
- obstruct
- set back
- keep
- block
- suspend
- hesitate
- halt
- snag
- extend
- hold
- retard
- lengthen
- prolong
- pause
- stall
- defer
- baffle
- blockade
- stem
- balk
- hold up
- protract
- clog
- arrest
- hold back
- dam
- repress
- terminate
- bottleneck
- hold over
- put over
- lay over
- put off
- stop
- suppress
- cut off
- shelve
- discontinue
- remit
- conclude
- still
- stretch (out)
- check
- hold off (on)
- stay
- turn back
- stanch
- squelch
- catch
- end
- staunch
- stunt
- call
- choke off
- pull up
- draw up
- squash
- hold up
- bring up
- fetch up
- rein (in)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- continue
- keep (on)
- persist
- proceed
- keep up
- move
- advance
- march
- progress
- run on
- wend
- follow through (with)
- push
- impel
- stir
- spur
- fare
- goad
- drive
- carry on
- propel
- actuate
- budge
- go along
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of detain are delay, retard, slacken, and slow. While all these words mean "to cause to be late or behind in movement or progress," detain implies a holding back beyond a reasonable or appointed time.
While in some cases nearly identical to detain, delay implies a holding back, usually by interference, from completion or arrival.
In some situations, the words retard and detain are roughly equivalent. However, retard suggests reduction of speed without actual stopping.
Although the words slacken and detain have much in common, slacken suggests an easing up or relaxing of power or effort.
Both slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention.