frequently_asked_questions_files/Oxford Thesaurus.pdf

complete, inclusive, particularized, precise, exact, minute,
blow-by-blow, circumstantial: He kept a detailed report of
everything that happened on D-Day. 2 intricate, complex,
complicated, elaborate, ornate: Note the detailed scrollwork on
this screen.
detect v. 1 uncover, find (out), discover, locate, learn of,
ascertain, determine, dig up, unearth: The pathologist detected
the presence of prussic acid in the victim's bloodstream. 2
perceive, note, notice, identify, spot, observe, sense, read,
scent, smell, discern, feel, catch, find: Did I detect a tone
of sarcasm in your reply, young man?
detective n. investigator, private investigator, CID man, policeman,
constable, Colloq private eye, sleuth, Sherlock, snoop, snooper,
Brit tec, US P.I., dick, Hawkshaw; Slang cop, copper, US and
Canadian gumshoe, peeper: Detectives have at last solved the
case of the missing weapon.
detention n. custody, confinement, imprisonment, captivity, internment,
incarceration, restraint, Archaic or literary durance: The
culprit was kept in detention for a week.
deter v. dissuade, discourage, inhibit, intimidate, daunt, frighten
off or from or away, scare off or from; prevent, stop, obstruct,
check, hinder, impede: I was deterred from entering by three
large dogs. Regular spraying of plants helps to deter aphid
infestation.
detergent n. 1 cleaner, cleanser, soap (powder or flakes or liquid);
surfactant, surface-active agent, detersive: You put too much
detergent into the washing machine and it overflowed.
--adj. 2 cleaning, cleansing, washing, purifying, detersive:
The detergent effect is reduced if too much soap is used.
deteriorate
v. 1 worsen, decline, degenerate, degrade, spoil, worsen, get
worse, depreciate, slip, slide, Colloq go to pot, go to the
dogs, go downhill: We have watched their relationship
deteriorate over the years. 2 decay, decline, disintegrate,
fall apart, decompose, crumble, erode: The building slowly
deteriorated and is now uninhabitable.