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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of detain
Bin was released into the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement during the COVID-19 pandemic and detained at a Mesa Verde processing center, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.
—
Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2025
He was detained Monday by federal immigration authorities.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2025
Langston has been detained since his arrest on July 20, 2021.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 18 Apr. 2025
Immigration officers in plain clothes detained the Tufts student on March 25 and placed her in an unmarked van.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detain
Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2025
He was detained Monday by federal immigration authorities.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2025
Langston has been detained since his arrest on July 20, 2021.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 18 Apr. 2025
Immigration officers in plain clothes detained the Tufts student on March 25 and placed her in an unmarked van.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detain
Verb
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During the court hearing, the Florida Highway Patrol was the only agency mentioned as an arresting agency in those cases, including the one of the U.S. citizen.—
Ana Ceballos,
Miami Herald,
19 Apr. 2025
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Abrego Garcia’s attorneys say he was given no information about why he was arrested, but a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) form said he was arrested in connection with a murder investigation.—
Rebecca Beitsch,
The Hill,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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There's also great uncertainty as Trump seeks negotiations with China and begins talks with other counties whose larger tariffs were delayed by 90 days.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
21 Apr. 2025
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Research suggests that females who have autism are more likely to use this strategy, which can lead to a mismatch between the internal experience and the external behavior—and may play a role in delaying diagnosis.1 4.—
Heidi Moawad, MD,
Verywell Health,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Secret Service apprehended another suspect, weeks later, Ryan Routh, who was armed on a golf course where Trump was playing.—
Jenny Goldsberry,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Apr. 2025
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Police apprehended 38-year-old Cody Balmer in connection with the incident, and search warrants alleged that the suspect admitted to the crimes.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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These results suggest that media-savvy Democrats who seize this moment to call out Trump and the MAGA agenda could put themselves in a strong position to become the next leader of the Democratic Party.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
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This shift could unlock massive opportunities for entrepreneurs who are bold enough to act, smart enough to wait for clarity, and strategic enough to seize the moment.—
Dileep Rao,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detain. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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