detain

[dih-teyn] / dɪˈteɪn /

VERB

hold, keep back; arrest

Synonyms

STRONGEST

apprehend confine delay jail

STRONG

bust buttonhole check constrain decelerate hinder ice impede inhibit intern mire nab pinch reserve restrain retard withhold

WEAK

bog down hang up hold up pick up pull in put away run-in send up set back slow down slow up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

free liberate

STRONG

advance aid allow assist facilitate forward give help let go offer permit push release

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Nottinghamshire Police said Butler had been trying to detain Moses because he had decided to arrest him for a public order offence.

From BBC • May 30, 2026

Nottinghamshire Police, which claimed an officer had been trying to detain Moses over a public order offence, said it hoped the settlement "will offer comfort to the complainant".

From BBC • May 30, 2026

"The court should detain the defendant pending trial," the filing said.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

Speaking at the University of Kansas, the senior liberal justice was asked about a September 2025 decision that dealt with the rules for federal immigration agents to detain people and ask about their citizenship.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

“We will not detain you further, Madame. You see, it was not so very terrible.”

From "Murder on the Orient Express" by Agatha Christie

Vocabulary lists containing detain

Echo

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This Week In Words: Current Events Vocab for January 30–February 5, 2021

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