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detain

2 syllables

Quick answer

As a verb, detain means keep someone from proceeding by holding them back or making claims on their attention.

Meanings of detain

7 meanings

verb

To keep someone from proceeding by holding them back or making claims on their attention.
law enforcementTo put under custody.
To keep back or from; to withhold.
To seize goods for official purposes.
Deprive of freedom; take into confinement
Similar: confine
Stop or halt
“Please stay the bloodshed!”
Similar: stay, delay
Cause to be slowed down or delayed
“Traffic was delayed by the bad weather”
“she delayed the work that she didn't want to perform”
Similar: delay, hold up

Meanings from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).

Synonyms by meaning

verb: deprive of freedom; take into confinement

verb: stop or halt

verb: cause to be slowed down or delayed

Words that rhyme with detain

explain pain train brain plane rain jane main remain insane champagne campaign chain lane plain gain

For word games

d2

e1

t1

a1

i1

n1

Scrabble & Words With Friends: valid word7 points before bonuses.6 letters.

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Nearby words

detached detachment detail detailed detailing details detainee detaining detainment detect detectable detected