1
as in to arrest
to take or keep (someone) in confinement by authority of law
Police detained the suspect.
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2
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.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of detain
Makarim was detained with two former education ministry officials and a former tech consultant who were sentenced up to four-and-half years in the case, while another staff member is wanted by authorities but remains at large.
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ABC News,
30 June 2026
Víctor was detained by immigration authorities in Texas on June 12.
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Sergio Martínez-Beltrán,
NPR,
30 June 2026
Airport police responded and detained the passenger involved, the Indianapolis Airport Authority told CNN.
—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
30 June 2026
He had been detained while on his way to work in Chicago in September, at the height of Operation Midway Blitz.
—
Chicago Tribune,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for detain
ABC News,
30 June 2026
Víctor was detained by immigration authorities in Texas on June 12.
—
Sergio Martínez-Beltrán,
NPR,
30 June 2026
Airport police responded and detained the passenger involved, the Indianapolis Airport Authority told CNN.
—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
30 June 2026
He had been detained while on his way to work in Chicago in September, at the height of Operation Midway Blitz.
—
Chicago Tribune,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for detain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detain
Verb
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The suspects arrested allegedly planned to target senior government officials with small, armed drones; no devices were launched.
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Police later caught up to Shockley at his father’s home in New Jersey, and he was arrested and convicted of murder.
Verb
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Still, some experts say the lack of awareness may delay some eligible adults from taking advantage of the new coverage and getting on the treatments immediately.
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The last time Colombia played at Miami Stadium, the 2024 Copa América final against Argentina was delayed more than 75 minutes after a security breach involving ticketless fans, with some appearing to enter through air vents.
Verb
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Photos from the match showed multiple people being apprehended or escorted away by security during the bizarre stoppage.
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Chavez, 19, ran from the scene, but was later apprehended.
Verb
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Hilton, running on a platform of affordability and lowering taxes, has seized on the sentiment, casting health coverage for immigrants without legal status as deeply unfair and a direct threat to the state’s ability to help citizens.
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So far this year, 17 tons of illicit drugs, mostly cocaine, have been seized in the Pacific region – more than three times the total across the whole of last year, according to the Australian Federal Police.
Cite this Entry
“Detain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detain. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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