as in delayed
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
1
as in arrested
to take or keep (someone) in confinement by authority of law
Police detained the suspect.
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in slowed
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.
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 detained
Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2026
On Saturday, police spokesperson Ayanlade Olayinka told the AP that three gunmen were detained in connection with the Oyo attack, which took place in the Oriire area, about 220 kilometers (135 miles) from the city of Lagos.
—ABC News, 17 May 2026
On May 7, a lieutenant with the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office detained Alayna Mason for questioning in Kayla’s case, court records show.
—Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 16 May 2026
Surveillance and cellphone footage captured the May 6 incident in the Bronx, where ICE agents detained the American citizen at gunpoint.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 16 May 2026
Following his last arrest, Maduro and acting President Delcy Rodríguez claimed that Saab was a Venezuelan diplomat who had been illegally detained during a refueling stop while en route to Iran for an important humanitarian mission.
—CBS News, 16 May 2026
Rostas, who has been detained since his arrest, appeared Thursday in Hartford federal court.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2026
According to the arrest documents, McDaniel was detained in Monticello after officials reportedly received a child abuse complaint.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2026
He was detained on an outstanding warrant in relation to the fire.
—Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 10 May 2026
Verb
The suspect tried to flee the scene but was stopped and detained by civilians, fire officials told The Times.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2026
On Saturday, police spokesperson Ayanlade Olayinka told the AP that three gunmen were detained in connection with the Oyo attack, which took place in the Oriire area, about 220 kilometers (135 miles) from the city of Lagos.
—ABC News, 17 May 2026
On May 7, a lieutenant with the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office detained Alayna Mason for questioning in Kayla’s case, court records show.
—Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 16 May 2026
Surveillance and cellphone footage captured the May 6 incident in the Bronx, where ICE agents detained the American citizen at gunpoint.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 16 May 2026
Following his last arrest, Maduro and acting President Delcy Rodríguez claimed that Saab was a Venezuelan diplomat who had been illegally detained during a refueling stop while en route to Iran for an important humanitarian mission.
—CBS News, 16 May 2026
Rostas, who has been detained since his arrest, appeared Thursday in Hartford federal court.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2026
According to the arrest documents, McDaniel was detained in Monticello after officials reportedly received a child abuse complaint.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2026
He was detained on an outstanding warrant in relation to the fire.
—Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 10 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detained
Adjective
-
Other misconceptions have led to frustration and fear and delayed diagnosis.—
Michelle Seguin,
EverydayHealth.com,
13 May 2026
-
The combination of the chiming, delayed guitar, twiddly ‘80s synths, weird time signatures and Fish’s unique lyrics and vocal delivery all added up to a very intriguing listen.—
Liza Lentini,
SPIN,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Police said Suarez was arrested and charged with two counts of manslaughter, three counts of vehicular manslaughter, two counts of vehicular assault and driving while intoxicated.—
Brittany Miller,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
-
Jessica Moncallo, 30, was arrested and booked into the Dawson County Jail on May 11 in connection with a single-vehicle crash that claimed the life of a 16-year-old driver on April 15 on County Road 18, the Texas Department of Public Safety said in a press release on Tuesday, May 12.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Orjuela was apprehended while attempting to flush several hundred grams of fentanyl down a toilet, court records show.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
16 May 2026
-
Mezzetti said the suspect was apprehended after other people intervened.—
Claire Bower,
ABC News,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
Data the city provided to the Miami Herald shows that fewer than 40 of its over 60,000 water and sewer accounts are delinquent by more than 120 days, according to the Public Works Department.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2026
-
In a typical year, the bureau may refer $9 million to $12 million in delinquent accounts for collection — revenue that the audit said was put at serious risk.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detained. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
