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View synonyms for detain

detain

[ dih-teyn ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to keep from proceeding; keep waiting; delay.

    Synonyms: check, stay, stop, hinder, slow, retard

  2. to keep under restraint or in custody.
  3. Obsolete. to keep back or withhold, as from a person.


detain

/ ˌdiːteɪˈniː; dɪˈteɪn /

verb

  1. to delay; hold back; stop
  2. to confine or hold in custody; restrain
  3. archaic.
    to retain or withhold


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Derived Forms

  • detainee, noun
  • deˈtainment, noun
  • deˈtainable, adjective

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Other Words From

  • de·tain·a·ble adjective
  • de·tain·ment noun
  • pre·de·tain verb (used with object)
  • un·de·tain·a·ble adjective
  • un·de·tained adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of detain1

First recorded in 1480–90; detainen, from Anglo-French, Old French detenir, from unattested Vulgar Latin dētenīre, for Latin dētinēre, equivalent to dē- de- + -tinēre, combining form of tenēre “to hold”

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Word History and Origins

Origin of detain1

C15: from Old French detenir, from Latin dētinēre to hold off, keep back, from de- + tenēre to hold

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Example Sentences

Kadyrov had promised to detain Muslim women wearing veils that cover their faces.

Still, Israel is not the only country to detain refugee applicants.

They find a few ounces of meth in the car and detain him for twenty four hours.

Senator Marco Rubio asks "Why shouldn't we have a place to take people that we detain--like Guantanamo?"

They will detain them and begin the process of removal—which is what federal law theoretically calls for in the first place.

She waved a dissenting hand, and went on, paying no further heed to their renewed cries which sought to detain her.

There is little to detain one within the city of Leeds itself, but there are many places of interest in its immediate vicinity.

Guildford might well detain for a day or more anyone whose time will permit him to travel more leisurely than ours did.

He made no attempt to detain Jessie, who passed down the street with her cheeks flaming.

This city, although of considerable size, is comparatively modern and has little to detain tourists.

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