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
Immigration enforcement efforts in Oklahoma also have focused heavily on apprehending commercial truckers driving on interstate highways.
—
Nuria Martinez-Keel, Oklahoma Voice, 10 Feb. 2026
New England Patriots Kyle Williams tries to assist in apprehending a spectator who ran onto the field during the second quarter of Super Bowl LX.
—February 9, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
The driver was apprehended and has prior convictions for being an armed felon and an outstanding warrant, according to the department.
—Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 8 Feb. 2026
Two of the people involved fled the scene of the crash, but were apprehended after a brief foot chase, the release said.
—Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for apprehend
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Nuria Martinez-Keel, Oklahoma Voice, 10 Feb. 2026
New England Patriots Kyle Williams tries to assist in apprehending a spectator who ran onto the field during the second quarter of Super Bowl LX.
—February 9, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
The driver was apprehended and has prior convictions for being an armed felon and an outstanding warrant, according to the department.
—Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 8 Feb. 2026
Two of the people involved fled the scene of the crash, but were apprehended after a brief foot chase, the release said.
—Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 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 14 Feb. 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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