apprehend
verb
ap·pre·hend
ˌa-pri-ˈhend 
apprehended; apprehending; apprehends
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 addition, there will be increased Tactical Marine Unit and Aircraft Operations Division operations along the border to detect and apprehend criminals, according to the governor’s office.
—
Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
No one has been apprehended in the Meridian incident.
—Statesman Staff, Idaho Statesman, 22 Feb. 2026
Wellington said two suspects were apprehended after fleeing Fairfield.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 20 Feb. 2026
On Thursday, the Police Department issued a press release saying that the preliminary investigation indicated that while attempting to apprehend a suspect, a police sergeant unintentionally discharged his weapon after he was bitten by a K-9.
—Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for apprehend
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Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
No one has been apprehended in the Meridian incident.
—Statesman Staff, Idaho Statesman, 22 Feb. 2026
Wellington said two suspects were apprehended after fleeing Fairfield.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 20 Feb. 2026
On Thursday, the Police Department issued a press release saying that the preliminary investigation indicated that while attempting to apprehend a suspect, a police sergeant unintentionally discharged his weapon after he was bitten by a K-9.
—Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for apprehend
Cite this Entry
“Apprehend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apprehend. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
apprehend
verb
ap·pre·hend
ˌap-ri-ˈhend
1
: arrest entry 1 sense 2
apprehend a burglar
2
: to look forward to with fear and uncertainty
Legal Definition
apprehend
transitive verb
ap·pre·hend
ˌa-prə-ˈhend
: arrest
Etymology
Latin apprehendere to seize, arrest, from ad to + prehendere to seize
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