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.

Its current advice states: "Having a British passport or connections to the UK can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to detain you."

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026

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

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

Raegan feared that ICE agents would detain her husband and convinced him to move voluntarily to Mexico.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 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

Meetings were banned; printing presses were seized; and legislation was rushed through Parliament permitting the police to detain charged prisoners for twelve days without bail.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Vocabulary lists containing detain

Echo

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Enrique's Journey

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

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