apprehend

verb

ap·​pre·​hend ˌa-pri-ˈhend How to pronounce apprehend (audio)
apprehended; apprehending; apprehends

transitive verb

1
: arrest, seize
apprehend a thief
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Local sheriff's deputies later apprehended Routh on Interstate 95 at about Mile Marker 112 in Martin County, Treasure Coast Newspapers, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported. Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025 The trailer for the film teases that Perfidia was apprehended by law enforcement prior to the start of the movie's events, leaving Bob and Willa to go on the run and seek refuge with an ally, portrayed by Benicio del Toro. Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025 This comes just days after hundreds of people were apprehended during a sweeping immigration raid at a Georgia manufacturing facility, marking what appears to be one of the largest ICE raids at a single site in the 22-year history of the agency. Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025 The immediate priority for law enforcement is locating and apprehending the suspect who should be considered armed and dangerous. Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for apprehend

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin apprehendere, literally, to seize, from ad- + prehendere to seize — more at get

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of apprehend was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Apprehend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apprehend. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

apprehend

verb
ap·​pre·​hend ˌap-ri-ˈhend How to pronounce apprehend (audio)
1
: arrest entry 1 sense 2
apprehend a burglar
2
: to look forward to with fear and uncertainty
3

Legal Definition

apprehend

transitive verb
ap·​pre·​hend ˌa-prə-ˈhend How to pronounce apprehend (audio)
: arrest
Etymology

Latin apprehendere to seize, arrest, from ad to + prehendere to seize

More from Merriam-Webster on apprehend

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!