detain
Keep from leaving
To detain someone is to hold them back or keep them from proceeding.
Police detain suspects for questioning.
A customs officer detains travelers for inspection.
Teachers detain students after class.
The word implies temporary holding with some authority behind it: He was detained at the border for three hours.
To be detained can also mean simply to be delayed: I was detained by traffic.
Seize or understand
- handcuffsLocking wrist restraints
- policeCivil law enforcement
- custodyProtective care or control
- bookingAdvance arrangement secured
charges · bail · warrant · suspect · officer · patrol · squad car · law enforcement
Confinement in jail
- cellBasic unit of life
- jailDetention facility
- prisonConfinement for offenders
- penitentiaryFacility for convicted criminals
lockup · solitary · confinement · dungeon · brig · stockade · correctional · reformatory
Locking wrist restraints
- shacklesMetal bonds for prisoners
- chainsLinked metal restraints
- manaclesWrist shackles for prisoners
- fettersAnkle restraints, often metal
cuffs · bound · restraints · hobbled · zip ties · flex cuffs · leg irons · strapped
Outer edge or limit
- deportationLegal expulsion from country
- ICEImmigration enforcement bureau
- asylumShelter from persecution
- checkpointInspection station on route
undocumented · visa · customs · processing center · migrant · refugee · holding facility · removal
Seeking answers through inquiry
- interviewFormal questioning session
- debriefPost-mission questioning session
- confessionAdmission of wrongdoing
- grillingCooking on metal grates
probe · cross-examination · investigate · testimony · witness · examine · suspect · statement
apprehend
Seize or understand
booking · charges · bail · warrant · suspect · officer · patrol · squad car · law enforcement · criminal
incarceration
Confinement in jail
penitentiary · lockup · solitary · confinement · dungeon · brig · stockade · correctional · reformatory · internment
handcuffs
Locking wrist restraints
fetters · cuffs · bound · restraints · hobbled · zip ties · flex cuffs · leg irons · strapped · immobilize
border
Outer edge or limit
- deportationLegal expulsion from country
- ICEImmigration enforcement bureau
- asylumShelter from persecution
checkpoint · undocumented · visa · customs · processing center · migrant · refugee · holding facility · removal · enforcement
questioning
Seeking answers through inquiry
- interviewFormal questioning session
- debriefPost-mission questioning session
- confessionAdmission of wrongdoing
grilling · probe · cross-examination · investigate · testimony · witness · examine · suspect · statement · inquiry
hold up
Delay or armed robbery
postpone · linger · prolong · setback · slowdown · obstruct · impede · waylay · tarry · tie up
- capturecatch, seize, trap, snare, net
- confinementcell, cage, prison, jail, imprisonment
- restrainhold back, suppress, hold in, keep in, keep down
- police slangperp, collar, bust, APB, BOLO
- constablesconstable, chief constable, special constable, Mounties, RCMP
- restraintshandcuffs, shackles, chains, ropes, cuffs
- political detaineesThose imprisoned for ideology
- unlawful detainerPossession without legal authority
- ghost detaineesUnacknowledged, secretly held captives
detained, detainee, detainment, detaining, detains, detainees, detainer