apprehend

verb

ˌa-pri-ˈhend How to pronounce apprehend (audio)
Definition of apprehendnext
1
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
2
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 In March, Idaho attempted to pass multiple bills requiring local police and sheriff agencies to enter into the 287(g) agreements with ICE and report the number of noncitizens being investigated or apprehended. — Alexandra Duggan, Idaho Statesman, 21 July 2026 The passenger, Alan Pena Sabogn, 21, also of Bogotá, was later apprehended and arrested on suspicion of failing to obey a lawful order, obstructing a peace officer and providing false identification, authorities said. — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026 Truelove was apprehended after sneaking into Rockefeller Center’s Studio 1A to search for 71-year-old Roker. — Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 20 July 2026 The initial complaint, filed on the day he was apprehended, alleged Hurtado-Cariaco forcibly resisted arrest, according to a pre-sentencing court filing by McWilliams. — Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 18 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for apprehend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apprehend
  1. understand
  2. arrest
  3. know
  4. seize
  5. comprehend
  6. detain
  7. recognize
  8. restrain
Verb
  • Confidence is highest for events whose relationship to a warming climate is well understood and well represented in climate models.
    — Deepti Singh, The Conversation, 24 July 2026
  • Among all the senses, smell is perhaps the least well understood.
    — Hannah Docter-Loeb, Scientific American, 24 July 2026
Definition of understand
Verb
  • The teen’s remains were found in September in the trunk of a Tesla that belongs to the singer, and D4vd was arrested in April.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 25 July 2026
  • Her government has cracked down on fuel theft and arrested dozens of current and former local officials – including some from Morena – accused of colluding with crime groups.
    — Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
Definition of arrest
Verb
  • The statement came a week after the Miami Herald reported that FWC criminal intelligence analysts have been looking at activists’ records in the state’s Driver and Vehicle Information Database, known as DAVID, since 2023.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026
  • The suit alleges those employees knew the warehouse constructed on the property in 2022 would be used for fireworks storage and operations but did not enforce applicable safety and environmental requirements.
    — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026
Definition of know
Verb
  • Now protesters are using that same platform to mock his administration, ridicule pro-government television news coverage, transform confrontation with police into viral content and seize control of the online narrative.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
  • Investigators also seized boxes that had been resealed and were ready to ship, packages containing modeling clay instead of fragrance products, additional modeling clay, a heat gun, glue and packaging materials, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
    — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 25 July 2026
Definition of seize
Verb
  • Trump does not seem to comprehend that Iran has a higher pain tolerance than America.
    — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 19 July 2026
  • No individual can comprehend the complexity of today's environment alone.
    — Klaus Schwab, Time, 2 July 2026
Definition of comprehend
Verb
  • This spring, the FBI detained a former aide to Fauci, and federal officials banned a virus researcher in North Carolina from receiving federal funding.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
  • Police detained Schmidt twice during the altercation, originally placing him into the police vehicle after the officer shot his black Labrador, according to eyewitness Paul Bates.
    — Gabe White, Arkansas Online, 21 July 2026
Definition of detain
Verb
  • He was recognized with a Dayton Literary Peace Prize lifetime achievement award in November.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
  • Sleepy Poet Antique Mall was recognized for its expansive collection of vintage furniture, décor and collectibles.
    — Evan Moore July 22, Charlotte Observer, 22 July 2026
Definition of recognize
Verb
  • For such a conspicuous color, the look was surprisingly restrained.
    — Marci Robin, Allure, 20 July 2026
  • The video shows Fakir lying face down on the ground ‌while two officers restrain him.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 20 July 2026
Definition of restrain

Browse Nearby Words

appreciatory
apprehend
apprehended
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Apprehend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apprehend. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on apprehend

Nglish: Translation of apprehend for Spanish Speakers

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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of aerie

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All