1
as in arresting
to take or keep (someone) in confinement by authority of law
Police detained the suspect.
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2
as in delaying
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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Recent Examples of detaining
The incident, which was captured on video by a bystander, showed dozens of officers surrounding the business and detaining employees.
—
Logan Hall, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
Marriott’s report was the first time a British aid charity had documented how taxpayers’ money was funding a business accused of detaining impoverished African patients.
—Hettie O'Brien, The Dial, 21 Apr. 2026
Juveniles were seen fleeing but despite detaining several people for questioning, no one was charged, the release said.
—Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Along with erecting tent jails for detaining immigrants, agents have used racial profiling during immigration raids.
—Jonathan Van Harmelen, The Conversation, 20 Apr. 2026
Immigration and Customs Enforcement resolved that issue on April 3 by detaining Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and Sarinasadat Hosseiny, the niece and grandniece of the late Iranian commander.
—Danielle Pletka, Washington Post, 19 Apr. 2026
The government launched a fierce crackdown, killing thousands of people and detaining tens of thousands.
—Adam Geller, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
That includes detaining someone on the basis of their immigration status or the existence of an immigration detainer for them, or allowing ICE agents to access a person in detention, or providing information to ICE about someone's status.
—Michael Smith, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
The hearing follows a Justice Department request from last month to dissolve a preliminary injunction barring the government from re-detaining Abrego Garcia, so he can be deported to the West African nation of Liberia.
—Laura Romero, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
Logan Hall, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
Marriott’s report was the first time a British aid charity had documented how taxpayers’ money was funding a business accused of detaining impoverished African patients.
—Hettie O'Brien, The Dial, 21 Apr. 2026
Juveniles were seen fleeing but despite detaining several people for questioning, no one was charged, the release said.
—Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Along with erecting tent jails for detaining immigrants, agents have used racial profiling during immigration raids.
—Jonathan Van Harmelen, The Conversation, 20 Apr. 2026
Immigration and Customs Enforcement resolved that issue on April 3 by detaining Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and Sarinasadat Hosseiny, the niece and grandniece of the late Iranian commander.
—Danielle Pletka, Washington Post, 19 Apr. 2026
The government launched a fierce crackdown, killing thousands of people and detaining tens of thousands.
—Adam Geller, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
That includes detaining someone on the basis of their immigration status or the existence of an immigration detainer for them, or allowing ICE agents to access a person in detention, or providing information to ICE about someone's status.
—Michael Smith, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
The hearing follows a Justice Department request from last month to dissolve a preliminary injunction barring the government from re-detaining Abrego Garcia, so he can be deported to the West African nation of Liberia.
—Laura Romero, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detaining
Verb
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The affidavit further alleges that Bell gave arresting officers the name of her older sister.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
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The Houston Police Department’s policy has barred officers from arresting or detaining someone based on immigration status since 1990.—
Anna Giaritelli,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That is setting batteries up for a dual role as an enabler to putting more green energy on the grid and delaying the phase-out of fossil fuels.—
Mark Chediak,
Fortune,
24 Apr. 2026
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Hungary’s nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who was recently defeated in an election, had accused Ukraine of deliberately delaying repairs — an allegation that Zelenskyy denied.—
Karel Janicek,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Aided by the Coast Guard's Cutter Florence Finch, Air and Marine Operations' Long Beach Marine Unit crew intercepted the boat near San Nicolas Island, apprehending 29 Mexican nationals.—
Robert McGreevy,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
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Just before the 2026 season, former Glory defensive tackle and eight-time All-Pro Syreeta Gapelu brought even more attention to the team by tackling and apprehending a man attempting to steal her car.—
PJ Green
April 16,
Kansas City Star,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Jaden McDaniels and the Minnesota Timberwolves flexed even more of their defensive muscle against the flagging Denver Nuggets, seizing a 2-1 lead in the first-round NBA playoff series with a dominant 113-96 victory on Thursday night.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
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Multiple videos show a masked federal agent seizing a 57-year-old woman, who says she was put in a chokehold, during the protest in Durango.—
Morgan Lee,
Denver Post,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detaining. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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