APPREHEND Synonyms: 99 Similar and Opposite Words

apprehend

verb

ˌa-pri-ˈhend

Definition of apprehend

as in to understand

to have a clear idea of do you apprehend the importance of this discovery?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to arrest

to take or keep under one's control by authority of law the agency charged with apprehending criminals who have violated federal law

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of apprehend The suspect fled on foot, and as of Sunday, had not been apprehended by police yet. — Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 6 July 2026 Ginchevski exited his patrol vehicle to apprehend Williams, who then fell to the ground. — Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026 The gunman fled on foot, and authorities were working to identify and apprehend him. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 5 July 2026 After a foot chase, the suspect was apprehended several blocks away near Rogers Avenue and Union Street. — Eric MacK, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for apprehend

Recent Examples of Synonyms for apprehend

Verb

As some participants vow to be crucified in exchange for family members’ recovery from ill health, panata is also understood as a sacrifice made out of love for others in the community.

— H.M.A. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 10 July 2026
The study was conducted to better understand the true prevalence and distribution of alpha-gal IgE, antibodies produced by the body to fight the presence of the sugar molecule alpha-gal.

— Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026

Definition of understand

Verb

Kwong Chun Sit, 54, of Irvine, was arrested in June 2025 and convicted last month of 11 counts of felony animal cruelty and other counts, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office said.

— Phil Helsel, NBC news, 11 July 2026
Since January 2025, people have been arrested at building while showing up for routine hearings at court, check-ins for green card appointments and to report a change of address.

— Mathew Miranda July 9, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of arrest

Verb

An area known for rough currents The 18-year-old’s body was found in the water just off the shore on the northwestern end of Horn Island, Jackson County Coroner Bruce Lynd said.

— Holly Yan, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Linnaea’s is known for its pastries, specialty coffees and its tranquil back patio.

— Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

Definition of know

Verb

Arthur Kaluma seized his Summer League moment in Las Vegas, scoring 34 points in the Lakers’ 91-70 win over the Dallas Mavericks.

— Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026
And some have responded by seizing the female obsession with looks, already rooted in misogyny, and rebranding it with maximum toxicity—in other words, by becoming looksmaxxers.

— Jia Tolentino, New Yorker, 11 July 2026

Definition of seize

Verb

McCoy was detained the following month and subsequently arrested and booked into the San Diego Central Jail.

— Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026
One defendant in the case was ordered removed by an immigration judge and departed before trial, while Yepez was detained by ICE as the Los Angeles Police Department closed in.

— James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Definition of detain

Verb

Hayes was recognized as one of the trailblazing women in cybersecurity and has over a decade of experience in her field.

— Janice Gassam Asare, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
As of July 2026, 11 of 10,000 saints recognized by the Catholic Church have come from the United States.

— Vivian Wilson, Twin Cities, 8 July 2026

Definition of recognize

Verb

In California…there has been little success in restraining these abuses over the past decade.

— Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 5 July 2026
Croc Docs researcher Eric Suarez and Cole with the SFWMD restrained the python while Welty drew blood from a vein near the base of her tail.

— Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026

Definition of restrain

Browse Nearby Words

appreciatory

apprehend

apprehended

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Apprehend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apprehend. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of apprehend

verb

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