DETAIN Synonyms: 145 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'detain' distinct from other similar verbs?

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. // unexpected business had detained her

Q: When is 'delay' a more appropriate choice than 'detain'?

While in some cases nearly identical to detain , delay implies a holding back, usually by interference, from completion or arrival. // bad weather delayed our arrival

Q: In what contexts can 'retard' take the place of 'detain'?

In some situations, the words retard and detain are roughly equivalent. However, retard suggests reduction of speed without actual stopping. // language barriers retarded their progress

Q: When might 'slacken' be a better fit than 'detain'?

Although the words slacken and detain have much in common, slacken suggests an easing up or relaxing of power or effort. // on hot days runners slacken their pace

Q: How do 'slow' and 'slacken' relate to one another, in the sense of 'detain'?

Both slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention. // medication slowed the patient's heart rate

detain

verb

Definition of detain next

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

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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word detain distinct from other similar verbs?

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.

unexpected business had detained her

When is delay a more appropriate choice than detain?

While in some cases nearly identical to detain, delay implies a holding back, usually by interference, from completion or arrival.

bad weather delayed our arrival

In what contexts can retard take the place of detain?

In some situations, the words retard and detain are roughly equivalent. However, retard suggests reduction of speed without actual stopping.

language barriers retarded their progress

When might slacken be a better fit than detain?

Although the words slacken and detain have much in common, slacken suggests an easing up or relaxing of power or effort.

on hot days runners slacken their pace

How do slow and slacken relate to one another, in the sense of detain?

Both slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention.

medication slowed the patient's heart rate

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of detain That would authorize him to detain and deport noncitizens in the United States older than 14. —

Suzanne Gamboa, NBC News, 8 Nov. 2024 Meanwhile, one Colombian and one Mexican man were found and detained unharmed at the scene, and the defense department said officers found a pistol and several magazines commonly used for assault rifles at the scene. —

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 The Tariff Act of 1930 gives CBP authority to detain, further examine or seize goods that violate laws ranging from country of origin to intellectual property rights. —

Lauren Parker, Sourcing Journal, 5 Nov. 2024 Some experts on this historical time period say Trump's mass deportation plans have echoes of the widespread internments during World War II, in which more than 100,000 Japanese Americans, many of them U.S. citizens like Takei's family, were forcibly detained in prison camps. —

Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 3 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for detain

Recent Examples of Synonyms for detain

Verb

Ibarra was arrested on Friday, Feb. 23, and charged with several offenses including murder, kidnapping and assault, according to online court records previously cited by PEOPLE.

Charmaine Patterson, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
Now new details have emerged: The country singer and songwriter was arrested after a state trooper pulled him over for speeding and allegedly found marijuana in the car.

Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 19 Nov. 2024