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Definitions

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.

Among them were two nephews the DEA would later detain: Efraín Campo Flores and Franqui Flores de Freitas, both raised by Flores after one of her sisters died.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

The AEA allows the government to detain and deport citizens of hostile foreign nations in times of war or during an "invasion or predatory incursion."

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026

Ramos made headlines in January when a photo emerged of the 5-year-old with an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer while other officers attempted to detain his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, at their home in Minneapolis.

From Salon • Mar. 19, 2026

On Wednesday, the court allowed prosecutors to detain him for five days to enable detectives to conduct further investigations.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026

I took off before she could detain me any longer.

From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson