Detain

Pronunciation: /dɪˈteɪn/

Detain (verb)

  1. to keep someone in a place, usually by the police or authorities.
  2. to stop someone from leaving or going somewhere for a short time.

Examples

  • The police detain suspects for questioning.
  • Authorities can detain individuals at the border.

Common collocations: detain a suspect, detain indefinitely, detain for questioning, detain briefly, detain by traffic

Synonyms of Detain

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Antonyms of Detain

  • — when referring to freeing someone
  • — when referring to setting free from confinement