detain
4 synonyms and 6 antonyms for detain, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To officially hold someone, preventing them from leaving.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
confine
hold up
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To officially hold someone, preventing them from leaving.
“Police detained the suspect for questioning.”
Opposites
2. verb
To delay someone or keep them from moving on.
“Sorry to detain you — I just have one more question.”
Opposites
How to use detain
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
detain a suspect
detained for questioning
won't detain you long
Etymology
From Old French detenir, from Latin detinere, "to hold back" — from de- and tenere ("to hold").
Full origin of detain →Frequently asked questions
What does “detain” mean?
The word “detain” means to officially hold someone, preventing them from leaving. In plain terms, to hold someone back, either officially in custody or simply by delaying them.
How do you pronounce “detain”?
“Detain” is pronounced dih-TAYN (/dɪˈteɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “detain” in a sentence?
Here is “detain” used in a sentence: “Police detained the suspect for questioning.”
What part of speech is “detain”?
“Detain” is a verb.
Where does the word “detain” come from?
The word “detain” comes from Latin. From Old French detenir, from Latin detinere, "to hold back" — from de- and tenere ("to hold").
Is “detain” a common word?
“Detain” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “detain” have?
“Detain” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to officially hold someone, preventing them from leaving.
