Synonyms of arrest

arrest 1 of 2

verb

ə-ˈrest 

1

as in to seize

to take or keep under one's control by authority of law

the inept robber was promptly arrested by the off-duty policeman he had tried to hold up

Synonyms & Similar Words

• seize
• apprehend
• restrain
• jail
• detain
• grab
• capture
• commit
• run in
• catch
• snatch
• nick
• bust
• imprison
• nab
• pull in
• incarcerate
• nail
• pinch
• trap
• pick up
• collar
• snap (up)
• snare
• hook
• confine
• land
• lock (up)
• handcuff
• rearrest
• grapple
• get
• remand
• bag
• hold
• bind
• intern
• shackle
• immure
• fetter
• enchain
• jug
• manacle
• trammel

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discharge
• release
• free
• liberate
• spring
• loose
• loosen
• emancipate
• unbind
• unchain

2

as in to stop

to bring (something) to a standstill

cryogenics is based on the idea that extreme cold can almost arrest molecular motion

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stop
• halt
• catch
• stall
• stay
• check
• block
• hinder
• draw up
• pull up
• suspend
• impede
• detain
• hold up
• still
• bring up
• fetch up
• obstruct
• stem
• hold
• end
• conclude
• dam
• cut off
• hold back
• blockade
• snag
• balk
• terminate
• clog
• suppress
• discontinue
• bottleneck
• call
• repress
• baffle
• turn back
• stunt
• rein (in)
• choke off
• squelch
• stanch
• squash

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continue
• keep (on)
• run on
• persist
• carry on
• proceed
• move
• march
• keep up
• advance
• progress
• go along
• fare
• drive
• stir
• push
• follow through (with)
• spur
• propel
• budge
• impel
• goad
• wend
• actuate

3

as in to fascinate

to hold the attention of as if by a spell

the sight of the daredevil walking a tightrope between high-rises arrested area pedestrians and motorists alike

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fascinate
• enchant
• grip
• thrill
• hypnotize
• catch up
• mesmerize
• entrance
• enthrall
• spellbind
• involve
• bedazzle
• engage
• charm
• enrapture
• bewitch
• beguile
• engross
• absorb

arrest

2 of 2

noun

1

as in arrestment

the act of taking into one's control by authority of law

there have been only two arrests for driving while intoxicated in the county in the last six months

Synonyms & Similar Words

• arrestment
• raid
• apprehension
• imprisonment
• collar
• seizure
• bust
• capture
• pinch
• detention
• incarceration
• confinement
• house arrest
• entrapment
• restraint
• captivity
• remand
• rearrest
• hold
• enchainment
• immurement

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discharge
• release
• liberation
• emancipation

2

as in cessation

the stopping of a process or activity

"hemostasis" is the technical term for arrest of bleeding

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cessation
• halt
• ending
• conclusion
• end
• closure
• close
• termination
• stop
• shutdown
• stoppage
• cease
• discontinuance
• stay
• arrestment
• discontinuation
• expiration
• shutoff
• finish
• lapse
• cutoff
• offset
• suspension
• surcease
• check
• pause
• closedown
• interruption
• phaseout
• standstill
• moratorium
• layoff
• abeyance
• mop-up
• break
• letup

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continuation
• continuance
• extension
• persistence
• prolongation

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of arrest

Verb

Argudo-Tenorio was arrested on Tuesday evening at his home in Oak Park after detectives identified him as the gunman. —Todd Feurer, CBS News, 19 June 2026

Carlos Mencia, who hosted Comedy Central’s Mind of Mencia in the 2000s, was arrested Thursday and charged with a dozen counts of felony state tax evasion. —Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 18 June 2026

Noun

The arrest stems from an incident during a May 17 match in the French Ligue 1, in which Wahi, while playing for his club Nice, intentionally earned a yellow card against Metz. —Austin Perry, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2026

The assailants in each of the killings left the scenes before officers arrived, and police have not announced arrests in the homicides. —Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 June 2026