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
Police then apprehended the 21-year-old suspect and noted an AK-style pistol and a Glock magazine in plain view.
—
Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 23 Sep. 2025
Officials said Cooper remained in Mason County until William and Marlana Strausbaugh, both of Mason County, took him to Louisville, where he was apprehended.
—Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 23 Sep. 2025
An alligator loitering near a Lake County residence was apprehended by a pair of sheriff’s deputies earlier this month, with video released Saturday of their feat.
—Richard Tribou, Boston Herald, 22 Sep. 2025
Nadeau was apprehended in a nearby neighborhood after leaving the scene, officials said.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apprehend
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.
Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 23 Sep. 2025
Officials said Cooper remained in Mason County until William and Marlana Strausbaugh, both of Mason County, took him to Louisville, where he was apprehended.
—Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 23 Sep. 2025
An alligator loitering near a Lake County residence was apprehended by a pair of sheriff’s deputies earlier this month, with video released Saturday of their feat.
—Richard Tribou, Boston Herald, 22 Sep. 2025
Nadeau was apprehended in a nearby neighborhood after leaving the scene, officials said.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 22 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 30 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share