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
Robinson was apprehended after his father recognized him in photographs released by authorities, Cox said on Friday.
—
Jon Haworth, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2025
During this period under the Biden administration, many people apprehended at the border were seeking asylum and voluntarily presented themselves to Border Patrol agents.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2025
For unknown reasons, they were never apprehended.
—Brad Templeton, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
McGriff was apprehended by the New York Police Department Wednesday evening in Manhattan.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apprehend
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Jon Haworth, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2025
During this period under the Biden administration, many people apprehended at the border were seeking asylum and voluntarily presented themselves to Border Patrol agents.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2025
For unknown reasons, they were never apprehended.
—Brad Templeton, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
McGriff was apprehended by the New York Police Department Wednesday evening in Manhattan.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 13 Sep. 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 18 Sep. 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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