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

Example 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 The second student was briefly detained and ultimately released after no firearms were located on them. —

Alex Malm, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025 What To Know While NBC News did not cite exact numbers, officials told the outlet that some of those detained in the past two weeks had been released under monitoring programs, including using GPS tags, which the president has been vocal in his disapproval of. —

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025 Two people - who may or may not be married to each other - have been detained in connection with two deaths separated by 3,000 miles. —

Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2025 The deportation flight had 32 men and 11 women detained by Panamanian authorities after illegally crossing the Darien Gap from Colombia. —

Landon Mion, Fox News, 4 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for detain

Recent Examples of Synonyms for detain

Verb

In exchange for Hamas releasing three more Israeli hostages, Israel freed another 369 Palestinian prisoners on Saturday, most of whom were arrested in the Gaza Strip after the terror attack on Oct. 7, 2023.

— Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 18 Feb. 2025
Jack Lasota, 34, was arrested Sunday along with Michelle Zajko, 33, of Media, Pennsylvania.

— CBS News, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2025