EN

Synonyms for detain

  • verb

Most common

delay restrain arrest keep

All synonyms

Verb

1. Delay — to keep something from proceeding or coming to completion; to delay

delay, restrain, arrest, keep, hinder, retain, stop, hold, impede, withhold, retard, keep back, check, obstruct, suppress, repress, inhibit, interrupt

Other

confine, apprehend, stay, hold back

Antonyms

set free

All antonyms of detain →

Definitions

  1. v. 1

    To keep something from proceeding or coming to completion; to delay.

Related words

Word family
detainment detention

Forms

Past participle
detained
e.g. detained → delayed, restrained, arrested, hindered…

Example sentences

  • arrest You're under arrest for the murder of Tom Jackson.
  • hinder If you cannot help us, don't at least hinder us.
  • restrain We tried to restrain him from his reckless action.
  • impede He has tried to impede an official investigation.
  • apprehend Are you coming willingly, or do I have to apprehend you?
  • confine Confine your remarks to the matter we are discussing.

Popularity over time

Word1850 → 2019Trend
detainsteady
arreststeady
hindersteady
restrainfalling
impedesteady
apprehendsteady

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

4 letters
keep1, stop1, stay1, hold1
5 letters
check1, delay2
6 letters
arrest2, retain2, hinder2, retard2, impede2
7 letters
inhibit3, confine2, repress2
8 letters
suppress2, restrain2, withhold2, obstruct2
9 letters
interrupt3, apprehend3

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (delay2 = 2 syllables).

In other languages

Français
détenir
Deutsch
besitzen