as in delayed
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1
as in arrested
to take or keep (someone) in confinement by authority of law
Police detained the suspect.
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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.
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Recent Examples of detained
Egina Garcia Cano, Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
Nearly 30 Valley View students as well as parents or caregivers have been detained by federal officers during the immigration sweeps, according to Kuhlman.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026
Walker, who had been detained at the jail several times before, was experiencing a mental health crisis and tried to flush his clothes down the toilet, prompting staff to confiscate his clothing, according the lawsuit.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
Family and lawyers are seeking answers after learning Leqaa Kordia, a 33-year-old Palestinian woman detained in North Texas by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was hospitalized after a medical episode Friday.
—Lilly Kersh, Dallas Morning News, 7 Feb. 2026
He was detained for 31 days in El Helicoide.
—Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
Once inside, police officers detained the man and found a woman and young boy unharmed.
—Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said Sunday that the 5-year-old boy and his father, who were detained by ICE in Minneapolis last month, did not apply for asylum, as officials announced that the family was released over the weekend.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 2 Feb. 2026
The amnesty could lead to the release of hundreds of prisoners, including opposition leaders, journalists and human rights activists detained for political reasons.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
Verb
Last week, Rodríguez, a longtime Maduro ally, announced plans for a general amnesty that could lead to the release of hundreds of opposition leaders, journalists and human rights activists detained for political reasons.
—Egina Garcia Cano, Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
Nearly 30 Valley View students as well as parents or caregivers have been detained by federal officers during the immigration sweeps, according to Kuhlman.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026
Walker, who had been detained at the jail several times before, was experiencing a mental health crisis and tried to flush his clothes down the toilet, prompting staff to confiscate his clothing, according the lawsuit.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
Family and lawyers are seeking answers after learning Leqaa Kordia, a 33-year-old Palestinian woman detained in North Texas by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was hospitalized after a medical episode Friday.
—Lilly Kersh, Dallas Morning News, 7 Feb. 2026
He was detained for 31 days in El Helicoide.
—Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
Once inside, police officers detained the man and found a woman and young boy unharmed.
—Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said Sunday that the 5-year-old boy and his father, who were detained by ICE in Minneapolis last month, did not apply for asylum, as officials announced that the family was released over the weekend.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 2 Feb. 2026
The amnesty could lead to the release of hundreds of prisoners, including opposition leaders, journalists and human rights activists detained for political reasons.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detained
Adjective
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The delayed and low-key nature of that April news conference would make for a stark contrast with the unveiling of another round of immigration legislation just 10 months later.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Residents report the actual death toll exceeds 162, with villages devastated and survivors fleeing as government security forces faced criticism for delayed response.—
Pelumi Salako,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Five days later, she was found alive – and authorities arrested a local suspect who was familiar with the family and her grandson’s construction company, abducting her to get $3 million ransom.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
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Days after federal agents arrested the Ecuadorian mother hiding under a trailer on a snowy Minneapolis street, White House border czar Tom Homan said 700 federal law enforcement personnel will be withdrawn from the state.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Two of the people involved fled the scene of the crash, but were apprehended after a brief foot chase, the release said.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
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Cancel was apprehended Wednesday after he was found by the police department’s Violent Crimes Unit, Fugitive Task Force and Auto Theft Unit, Boisvert said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The report, released Tuesday, also showed that newly delinquent mortgages (30 days past due) were the highest in 10 years.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Debt management programs can lead to lower rates on credit cards, waive late fees, and bring delinquent accounts current to stop collection activity, according to GreenPath Financial Wellness.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detained. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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