September 16, 2009
- detain (verb)
- \dih-TAYN\
- What does it mean?
- 1 : to hold or keep in or as if in prison2 : to prevent from proceeding : stop
- How do you use it?
- In anticipation of her weekend trip to Canada, Lexie has put her passport and travel documents in order so that she will not be detained at the border.
- Are you a word wiz?
Which one of these words do you think is a synonym of "detain"?
Answer C, "slacken," is synonymous with "detain" as it is defined in meaning 2. "Detain" implies a holding back beyond a reasonable or decided time. ("Unexpected business detained him.") "Slacken," meanwhile, suggests a reduction of speed and easing up of power or effort. ("The runners slackened their pace.") "Delay," another synonym, implies a holding back from completion or arrival, usually because of interference. ("Bad weather delayed our arrival.") And "slow" often suggests deliberate intention. ("Medication slowed her heart rate.")
Click here to cancel your e-mail subscription.