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
Two suspects were arrested inside the store, a third was apprehended while fleeing, and the fourth was found monitoring the operation from an RV at the Flag City RV Resort, according to the district attorney.
—
Richard Ramos, CBS News, 18 Nov. 2025
Two suspects were later apprehended and remain in custody.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 15 Nov. 2025
Since locating Wiseman, detectives have been working with both the FBI Phoenix office and French authorities to apprehend Wiseman for outstanding warrants related to the 2008 investigation, according to Scottsdale police.
—Wren Smetana, AZCentral.com, 15 Nov. 2025
With her is Laura Dern’s Linda Shaw, who’s been apprehended for the assassination attempt on President Nixon — that was actually perpetrated by Mary (Julia Duffy) — which left Robert (Ricky Martin) shot in the crossfire.
—Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 12 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apprehend
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Richard Ramos, CBS News, 18 Nov. 2025
Two suspects were later apprehended and remain in custody.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 15 Nov. 2025
Since locating Wiseman, detectives have been working with both the FBI Phoenix office and French authorities to apprehend Wiseman for outstanding warrants related to the 2008 investigation, according to Scottsdale police.
—Wren Smetana, AZCentral.com, 15 Nov. 2025
With her is Laura Dern’s Linda Shaw, who’s been apprehended for the assassination attempt on President Nixon — that was actually perpetrated by Mary (Julia Duffy) — which left Robert (Ricky Martin) shot in the crossfire.
—Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 12 Nov. 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 24 Nov. 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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