Don't let me detain you.
Source: tatoeba (2275246)
Detain
Synonyms for "detain" (211 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (43)
Verb(9 words)
Strong matches (63)
Related words (105)
intermeddleinterruptintervenejailkeepkeep backkeep inkeep in checkkeep in custodykeep in detentionkeep outlaglet downlet uplocklose groundlose momentumlose speedmake latemeddle
Show 48 more words
mewmew upmiremoderatenabobstructopposepenpen uppick uppinchpoundpull inrailrail inreefreinrein inrelaxrepressreserveresistrestrainrestrictretainretardrun inscotchseal upset backshackleshut inshut upslack offslack upslackenslowslow downslow upsnubstaystopsuppresstake in sailthrottlethrottle downwall inwithhold
Noun(15 words)
Verb(21 words)
internedjailedjuggednabbednabbingnabsnickedquarantinedremand in custodyremandedremandingrestrainrestrainedrestrainsretenerstallstaystay after classtrappedwaylaid
Show 1 more word
Adjective(1 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: confine, delay, hold up, apprehend, apprehended.
- Sentence evidence is available for detain, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, moby, derived_reverse, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "detain".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "detain"
Keep "detain" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "detain" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "detain", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "detain" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
12 entriesMore specific
4 entriesCollocations
6 entriesborder detentiondetention centerdetention facilitydetention orderimmigration detentionpolice detention
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
3 entriesSample sentences
10 total sentences available.
To my surprise, the young lady held up her gloved hand to detain me.
Source: tatoeba (6375028)
"They can't arrest me." "Shut your mouth! You haven't seen anything yet. Those bastards can arrest you, detain you for God knows how long, torture you, humiliate you, rape you, shoot you in the head, then bury you where no one could ever find you."
Source: tatoeba (6447717)
"Him with speeches fair / and sweet allurements doth the queen detain; / but Juno's hospitality I fear; / scarce at an hour like this will she her hand forbear."
Source: tatoeba (6798650)
Showing 4 of 10 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "detain"?
Closest matches include confine, delay, hold up, apprehend, apprehended.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "detain"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.