Antonyms for detain

Grammar : Verb

Spell : dih-teyn

Phonetic Transcription : dɪˈteɪn

Definition of detain

Origin : early 15c., deteynen, from Old French detenir "to hold off, keep back" (12c.), from Latin detinere "hold off, keep back," from de- "from, away" (see de-) + tenere "to hold" (see tenet). Modern spelling is 17c., from influence of contain, retain, etc. Related: Detained; detaining.

verb hold, keep back; arrest

Example sentences :

"Don't let me detain you," said Halbert, with an elaborate share of politeness.
Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger

What he had to say therefore on the subject would not detain them long.
Extract from : « Explorations in Australia » by John Forrest

Mrs. Menotti tried to detain him; she could not understand what was amiss.
Extract from : « Rico and Wiseli » by Johanna Spyri

Then she withdrew her arms, and this time he did not try to detain her.
Extract from : « The Foolish Lovers » by St. John G. Ervine

As everything was right, the ship did not detain us, and we were permitted to proceed.
Extract from : « Ned Myers » by James Fenimore Cooper

Where, he admitted with sorrow, he had no right to detain them.
Extract from : « Fair Margaret » by H. Rider Haggard

These Delawares have their laws, which forbid them to detain you; but I—I have no such obligation.
Extract from : « The Last of the Mohicans » by James Fenimore Cooper

Maltravers did not seek to detain her, but silently followed her steps.
Extract from : « Alice, or The Mysteries, Complete » by Edward Bulwer-Lytton

I'm sure I should rather have wondered what could detain him at Burleigh.
Extract from : « Alice, or The Mysteries, Complete » by Edward Bulwer-Lytton

But, surely, he might not detain Mr Merdle while he assumed his coat?
Extract from : « Little Dorrit » by Charles Dickens

Synonyms for detain

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019