detain

Meaning

1. (transitive) To keep someone from proceeding by holding them back or making claims on their attention.
2. (transitive) To put under custody.
3. (transitive) To keep back or from; to withhold.
4. (transitive) To seize goods for official purposes.

Synonyms

arrest

delay

stop

🛑

confine

restrain

hold back

imprison

hold up

apprehend

keep

retain

stay

prevent

hold

seize

impede

check

withhold

hinder

obstruct

retard

block

intern

uphold

jail

incarcerate

curb

halt

push

lock up

keep in custody

catch

inhibit

tie up

hold in custody

grasp

stand upright

control

brake

reserve

restrict

prohibit

oppress

prolong

repress

distrain

lag

nick

compel

defer

Translations

detener

arrêter

détenir

trattenere

verhaften

aufhalten

retenir

impedire

retarder

retener

festnehmen

detineren

réprimer

hindern

zurückhalten

Pronounced as (IPA)

/dɪˈteɪn/

Etymology

Cognate with Italian: detenere

Cognate with Portuguese: deter

Cognate with Romanian: deține

Cognate with Spanish: detener

In summary

From Old French detenir. Cognate with Italian detenere, Portuguese deter, Romanian deține, and Spanish detener.