apprehend

verb

ap·​pre·​hend ˌa-pri-ˈhend How to pronounce apprehend (audio)
apprehended; apprehending; apprehends

transitive verb

1
: arrest, seize
apprehend a thief
2
a
: to become aware of : perceive
She immediately apprehended the problem.
b
: to anticipate especially with anxiety, dread, or fear
3
: to grasp with the understanding : recognize the meaning of

Did you know?

To apprehend is to seize, either physically or mentally. So to apprehend a thief is to nab him. But to apprehend a confusing news story, or to apprehend a difficult concept in physics, is to understand it—that is, to "grasp" it mentally. If you're apprehensive about something that's about to happen, it means you've grasped all the unpleasant possibilities and are waiting with anxiety or dread.

Examples of apprehend in a Sentence

Within hours, police had apprehended the thief. subtle differences that are difficult to apprehend
Recent Examples on the Web In December 2022, the Border Patrol apprehended at the Southwest border 24,764 Venezuelans, 15,280 Nicaraguans, 7,960 Cubans, and 1,392 Haitians, adding up to 49,396 encounters from the four countries. Stuart Anderson, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024 After the Crilley murder, Alcala was apprehended for the attack on Shapiro but only served 34 months behind bars for the crime. Jessica Sager, People.com, 18 Oct. 2024 The security checkpoint at which he was apprehended was located on the inner perimeter, controlled by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, and could only be accessed by residents and those with official documentation, according to Sheriff Chad Bianco. Pierre Thomas, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2024 Two students allegedly apprehended Sloan before police arrived, preventing further injury, while others applied first aid to Daffron. Lauren De Young, The Arizona Republic, 11 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for apprehend 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'apprehend.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin apprehendere, literally, to seize, from ad- + prehendere to seize — more at get

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of apprehend was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near apprehend

Cite this Entry

“Apprehend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apprehend. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

apprehend

verb
ap·​pre·​hend ˌap-ri-ˈhend How to pronounce apprehend (audio)
1
: arrest entry 1 sense 2
apprehend a burglar
2
: to look forward to with fear and uncertainty
3

Legal Definition

apprehend

transitive verb
ap·​pre·​hend ˌa-prə-ˈhend How to pronounce apprehend (audio)
: arrest
Etymology

Latin apprehendere to seize, arrest, from ad to + prehendere to seize

More from Merriam-Webster on apprehend

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