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
He was apprehended by the District of Connecticut Violent Fugitive Task Force.
—
Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2025
Boelter was apprehended in Sibley County, about 50 miles away from Minneapolis, after a two-day manhunt authorities called the largest in the state's history.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 17 June 2025
The mother attempted to flee the scene but was apprehended because of her outstanding warrants, according to ABC7 Chicago.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
Despite the walkaway, CDCR said nearly all who leave such programs without permission are eventually apprehended — a rate of 99% since 1977, officials touted in the news release.
—Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for apprehend
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Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2025
Boelter was apprehended in Sibley County, about 50 miles away from Minneapolis, after a two-day manhunt authorities called the largest in the state's history.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 17 June 2025
The mother attempted to flee the scene but was apprehended because of her outstanding warrants, according to ABC7 Chicago.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
Despite the walkaway, CDCR said nearly all who leave such programs without permission are eventually apprehended — a rate of 99% since 1977, officials touted in the news release.
—Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for apprehend
Cite this Entry
“Apprehend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apprehend. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.
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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