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

as in to arrest

to take or keep (someone) in confinement by authority of law Police detained the suspect.

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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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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 As of July 28, there were 477 adults detained in the MRRC — 365 men and 112 women, according to Warden Misty Mackey speaking to the Leavenworth CoreCivic Community Relations Advisory Board. — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 18 Aug. 2026 Another person found at the scene was detained while police investigated. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2026 Of those detained, only Anderson and Martin have been arrested so far, Schepman said, noting the possibility for additional arrests. — Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 18 Aug. 2026 Syria’s interior ministry announced an investigation into Ghamira’s death and said seven interior ministry personnel were detained for questioning. — ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for detain

Recent Examples of Synonyms for detain

Verb

There have been no arrests made in relation to the death, police told CNN, but the father of one of Fortune’s children was arrested shortly after the discovery of her body on unrelated weapons charges, jail records show.

— Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Nor could the state provide recidivism or success rate data related to the total number of participants who violated probation, were arrested or who successfully completed the program.

— Julie Watts August 20, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of arrest

Verb

An inmate ran out of a preliminary hearing at the Fairfield Courthouse Tuesday afternoon, knocking down a deputy district attorney and making it out of the courtroom before he was quickly apprehended, the Solano County Sheriff's Office said.

— Richard Ramos, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
What he was charged with and why Tunick was allowed to leave the airport the day of the encounter but was apprehended by police and indicted by a federal grand jury nine months later.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of apprehend

Verb

The next season Keegan was joint top scorer as Liverpool were champions of England for the first time in seven years and also seized the club’s historic first European trophy.

— Michael Walker, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
Internet sleuths, predictably, have seized on this ambiguity as proof of malfeasance.

— Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of seize

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details

detain

detained

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“Detain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detain. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of detain

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