arrest
verb
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Definition of arrest
(Entry 1 of 2)
arrest
nounDefinition of arrest (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : the taking or detaining in custody by authority of law The investigation led to his arrest.
2a : the act of stopping
b : the condition of being stopped or inactive — compare cardiac arrest
: in legal custody The suspect was placed under arrest.
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Other Words from arrest
Verb
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noun
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noun
Synonyms & Antonyms for arrest
Synonyms: Verb
apprehend, bust [slang], collar, nab, nail, nick [British slang], pick up, pinch, pull in, restrain, run in, seize
Synonyms: Noun
arrestment, cease, cessation, check, close, closedown, closure, conclusion, cutoff, discontinuance, discontinuation, end, ending, expiration, finish, halt, lapse, offset, shutdown, shutoff, stay, stop, stoppage, surcease, termination
Antonyms: Verb
Antonyms: Noun
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Examples of arrest in a Sentence
Verb
The police arrested him on drug charges. The police officer said, “I'm arresting you in the name of the law.” The drugs can't arrest the disease's progress, but they can slow it down considerably.Noun
The police are investigating the case but they have not yet made any arrests. She was charged with resisting arrest. The information has led to the arrest of three suspects.
Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
He was arrested and booked into Dakota County Jail, although charges against him are pending, according to Fox News. — Alexia Fernandez, PEOPLE.com, "Mother and Daughter Killed After Boulder Falls Off a Truck Crushing Their Car, Driver Arrested," 13 July 2018 All happened between March and June, when he was arrested. — Teri Figueroa, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Winslow II to face trial on two rape charges, linked by DNA to one accuser," 12 July 2018 His death came a day after he was arrested on drug charges. — Lavendrick Smith, charlotteobserver, "A Mecklenburg County inmate died. It’s the jail’s fourth death in two months.," 12 July 2018 Her lawyer, Michael Avenatti, said in an interview with The Washington Post early Thursday morning that after Daniels's performance at Sirens strip club, she was approached by undercover officers informing her that she would be arrested. — Author: Samantha Schmidt, Anchorage Daily News, "Stormy Daniels arrested at an Ohio strip club for touching patrons, police say," 12 July 2018 He was arrested on false imprisonment and battery charges in January, according to records. — David Harris, OrlandoSentinel.com, "'I do not negotiate whatsoever,' armed pub owner said, before being shot by SWAT officer: report," 10 July 2018 More than half of the defendants — all of whom were dressed in the same clothes they were arrested in over the weekend — took the government’s offer to plead guilty and be sentenced immediately. — Kristina Davis, latimes.com, "San Diego federal court begins fast-tracking border-crossing cases. Critics call it 'assembly line justice'," 10 July 2018 She was arrested, and released without bail the next day, but her actions shut down the landmark for the holiday. — Jenn M. Jackson, Teen Vogue, "Black Women Are Not Your Superheroes," 9 July 2018 Nebergall has been on unpaid leave since he was arrested. — Marc Freeman, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Deputy convicted of attempted rape," 13 July 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Now, Ketterer will not face charges related to the arrest, and instead will face a hearing at the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office. — Megan Friedman, Good Housekeeping, "Michael Ketterer of ‘America’s Got Talent’ Won’t Face Charges After Domestic Violence Arrest," 26 Sep. 2018 That footage led to an arrest of a 24-year-old man, the special agent in charge at the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Rick Rahn, said on the Today show Wednesday morning. — Khushbu Shah, Teen Vogue, "Mollie Tibbetts's Body Was Found in a Cornfield. Her Death Was Politicized the Same Day," 22 Aug. 2018 Phoenix police said Thursday that the U.S. Marshals Service was offering an additional $3,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Terrance Lamb, up from the $1,000 the reward offered by Silent Witness. — Brieanna J Frank, azcentral, "Reward raised to $4K in Phoenix double homicide case," 12 July 2018 Anonymous tips that lead to an arrest are eligible for a reward of up to $3,000. — Wayne K. Roustan, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Distraction thieves shown on video stealing from English visitor in Dania Beach hotel," 12 July 2018 Crime Stoppers Atlanta has increased the reward to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment in the case, Chafee said. — Campbell Lutz, ajc, "Cops say new video, sketch connected to shooting outside wedding reception," 12 July 2018 An $8,100 reward has been offered for information that leads to the arrest of a wolf killer, the German Organization for the Protection of Wolves announced on Wednesday. — Deutsche Welle, USA TODAY, "Wolf fatally shot, tied to weight and dumped in lake," 12 July 2018 Information given to Crime Stoppers that leads to an arrest can qualify for a cash reward. — Megan Jones, Aurora Beacon-News, "Burglars use ruse to steal large amount of money from 88-year-old Aurora woman: Police," 12 July 2018 Silva urged community members to contact Crime Stoppers with any information that may lead to an arrest at (209) 946-0600. — Julia Sclafani, sacbee, "Car plows into Stockton park, fatally pinning man underneath as driver flees, police say," 11 July 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'arrest.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for arrest
arrest
verb
English Language Learners Definition of arrest
(Entry 1 of 2)
: to use the power of the law to take and keep (someone, such as a criminal)
: to stop the progress or movement of (something)
: to attract and hold the attention of (someone or something)
arrest
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of arrest (Entry 2 of 2)
: the act of legally taking and keeping someone (such as a criminal) : the act of arresting someone
medical : an occurrence in which a part of the body suddenly stops working
See the full definition for arrest in the English Language Learners Dictionary
arrest
verb
\
Kids Definition of arrest
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : to take or keep control over (someone) by authority of law She was arrested on suspicion of robbery.
2 : to stop the progress or movement of : check arrest a disease
3 : to attract and hold the attention of But I was suddenly arrested by a sight that only Grandma and I saw.— Richard Peck, A Year Down Yonder
arrest
nounKids Definition of arrest (Entry 2 of 2)
: the act of taking or holding a person by authority of law
arrest
transitive verb
\
Medical Definition of arrest
(Entry 1 of 2)
: to bring to a standstill or state of inactivity arrested tuberculosis arrested labor
: to undergo cardiac arrest the…patient has arrested while being transported to surgery— Wayne Fields
arrest
nounMedical Definition of arrest (Entry 2 of 2)
: the condition of being stopped developmental arrest — see cardiac arrest — compare cure sense 1, remission
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arrest
nounLegal Definition of arrest
(Entry 1 of 2)
: the restraining and seizure of a person whether or not by physical force by someone acting under authority (as a police officer) in connection with a crime in such a manner that it is reasonable under the circumstances for the person to believe that he or she is not free to leave — see also miranda warnings, probable cause at cause sense 2, warrant — compare stop
: an arrest made not by a law officer but by any citizen who derives the authority to arrest from the fact of being a citizen
Note:
Under common law, a citizen may make an arrest for any felony actually committed, or for a breach of the peace committed in his or her presence.
: the arrest and detention of a defendant in a civil suit until he or she posts bail or pays the judgment — see also capias ad respondendum
Note:
Civil arrest is restricted or prohibited in most states.
: an arrest of a person accompanied by or followed by taking the person into custody
: an arrest made without legal authority
— called also
unlawful arrest
Note:
If a person is taken into custody, no matter how briefly, a false arrest is also false imprisonment.
: the arrest of a person for a minor crime (as a traffic violation) for the real purpose of getting an opportunity to investigate (as through a search) the person's possible involvement in a more serious crime for which there are no lawful grounds to make an arrest
— called also
pretextual arrest
: false arrest in this entry
: in the condition of being restrained under legal authority
arrest
transitive verbLegal Definition of arrest (Entry 2 of 2)
: to place under arrest
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