Synonyms for detention
Most common
Synonyms by meaning
Noun
1. Delay — the act of detaining or the state of being detained; hindrance
delay, arrest, restraint, hindrance, suppression, retardation, stoppage, impediment, obstruction
2. Custody
Other
apprehension, jug US
Definitions
- n. 1
The act of detaining or the state of being detained; hindrance.
- n. 2
A temporary state of custody or confinement. Confinement of a prisoner awaiting trial.
Related words
Forms
- Plural
- detentions → delays, arrests, restraints, hindrances…
Example sentences
- arrest You're under arrest for the murder of Tom Jackson.
- custody We haven't worked out custody of the children yet.
- detainment Yanni is in the detainment room of the airport.
- apprehension He detected in her voice a note of apprehension.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| detention | steady | |
| arrest | steady | |
| custody | steady | |
| detainment | rising | |
| apprehension | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 3 letters
- jug1
- 4 letters
- hold1
- 5 letters
- delay2
- 6 letters
- arrest2
- 7 letters
- custody3
- 8 letters
- stoppage2
- 9 letters
- restraint2, hindrance2
- 10 letters
- impediment4, detainment
- 11 letters
- suppression3, obstruction3, confinement3, retardation4
- 12 letters
- apprehension4
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (delay2 = 2 syllables).
In other languages
- Français
- détention
- Italiano
- detenzione
- Español
- detención
- Català
- detenció