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
Earlier this month, Austin police released a new policy that essentially bans officers from detaining or arresting someone solely based on the presence of an immigration warrant, but does not prevent them from calling the federal agency.
—
Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American Statesman, 13 Mar. 2026
Attorneys for families held at Dilley argue that in many cases there was no justification for detaining them in the first place.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 13 Mar. 2026
The Biden administration stopped detaining immigrant families at the facility, which first started housing families during the Obama administration.
—Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 13 Mar. 2026
New York’s sanctuary policies prevent local law enforcement from detaining undocumented people for ICE — but there are exceptions for when a person has been convicted of violent offenses, as would be the case if Hernandez is convicted.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 12 Mar. 2026
Since October, Rivera said, her law firm has filed hundreds of habeas corpus lawsuits accusing the federal government of illegally detaining immigrants.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
The facility has come under scrutiny for detaining thousands of minors in what has been described as inhumane conditions.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2026
Several of the signs feature intense images of ICE officials detaining people, including one that shows agents putting a man in a choke hold.
—Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
The regime had already crushed the movement in January, detaining and killing thousands.
—Farah N. Jan, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2026
Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American Statesman, 13 Mar. 2026
Attorneys for families held at Dilley argue that in many cases there was no justification for detaining them in the first place.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 13 Mar. 2026
The Biden administration stopped detaining immigrant families at the facility, which first started housing families during the Obama administration.
—Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 13 Mar. 2026
New York’s sanctuary policies prevent local law enforcement from detaining undocumented people for ICE — but there are exceptions for when a person has been convicted of violent offenses, as would be the case if Hernandez is convicted.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 12 Mar. 2026
Since October, Rivera said, her law firm has filed hundreds of habeas corpus lawsuits accusing the federal government of illegally detaining immigrants.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
The facility has come under scrutiny for detaining thousands of minors in what has been described as inhumane conditions.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2026
Several of the signs feature intense images of ICE officials detaining people, including one that shows agents putting a man in a choke hold.
—Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
The regime had already crushed the movement in January, detaining and killing thousands.
—Farah N. Jan, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detaining
Verb
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Casa Malca remains one of the most visually arresting addresses right on the beach, with 70 suites.—
Gina Góngora,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
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Our Top Picks Nordic Knots’s elegant Scandinavian style (and penchant for arresting patterns) have made their rugs a hot commodity among design lovers like the AD team since their inception in 2016.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The temporary grace period delaying enforcement of the new law also applies to provisions restricting who can use which restrooms and other private spaces on government property.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
13 Mar. 2026
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The judge had postponed her sentencing until after the trial, delaying it further until after Serafini was sentenced.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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An immigration approach that focuses on apprehending dangerous criminals and steers clear of raiding businesses might help the labor market’s loss of workers.—
Matt Peterson,
CNBC,
6 Mar. 2026
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Federal agents have targeted schools and bus stops, apprehending adults and children.—
Daniel Cueto-Villalobos,
The Conversation,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Even after seizing a wanted dictator out of Venezuela and while monitoring an air war in Iran.—
John Scott Lewinski,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
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But seizing it will require more than capital and talent.—
François Candelon,
Fortune,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detaining. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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