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
The board did not approve any measures directly aimed at speeding and reckless driving, but approved the purchase of license plate reading cameras from public safety technology company Flock, costing about $30,000 per year for three years, to help police apprehend offenders.
—
Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
As an officer released K-9 Appie, a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois, to apprehend him, Bouie shot the dog in its shoulder.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026
Three people fled from the vehicle on foot, but officers were able to apprehend them.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2026
After Nolen and White were apprehended, deputies pursued the second vehicle, which became disabled near Randolph Road, the post said.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for apprehend
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Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
As an officer released K-9 Appie, a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois, to apprehend him, Bouie shot the dog in its shoulder.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026
Three people fled from the vehicle on foot, but officers were able to apprehend them.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2026
After Nolen and White were apprehended, deputies pursued the second vehicle, which became disabled near Randolph Road, the post said.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 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 25 Apr. 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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