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.

“They lack the authority to detain or arrest suspects, intervene in crimes in progress, conduct searches, or carry firearms for enforcement purposes,” according to a May 21 report from the city agency.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

In 1989, a much larger operation - Operation Just Cause - saw thousands of US troops invade Panama to topple and detain the country's then-leader, Manuel Noriega.

From BBC • May 21, 2026

Passers-by gave chase and managed to detain the man, in his 30s, and hand him over to police.

From BBC • May 16, 2026

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

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

We fling remarks at them in broken French, anything that comes into our heads, hastily and all jumbled together, anything to detain them.

From "All Quiet on the Western Front: A Novel" by Erich Maria Remarque

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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