Delay and Detain

Delay

Delay verb - To assign to a later time.
Usage example: our guests delayed their departure until after dinner

Detain is a synonym for delay in help topic. In some cases you can use "Detain" instead a verb "Delay", when it comes to topics like reduction, stop, hold up, cause stop in action. popular alternative

Nearby Words: delayed, delaying, delayer

Detain

Detain verb - Cause to be slowed down or delayed.

Delay is a synonym for detain in activity topic. You can use "Delay" instead the word "Detain" as a verb or a noun, if it concerns topics such as help, hold, reduction, stop. popular alternative

Nearby Words: detention, detainer, detaining

Common collocations

times delay times detain times
Cite this Source
Detain and Delay. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 15, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/delay/detain
Delay & Detain. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/delay/detain>.
Detain or Delay. 2016. Accessed August 15, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/delay/detain.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "delay" and "detain" have occurred on timeline