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 Luckily, when Kirby was arrested early the next morning, the keys were apprehended. — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2026 Carlos Palazuelos, who was briefly apprehended by the Pima County Sheriff's Department in February, filed a notice of claim against the sheriff's department over the incident, according to NBC Phoenix affiliate KPNX's July 31 report. — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 31 July 2026 Over a month later, Kohberger was apprehended by authorities in connection with the murders after investigators linked him to DNA from a knife sheath. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 30 July 2026 The target folders ensured that agents apprehended the correct person. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for apprehend

Recent Examples of Synonyms for apprehend

Verb

Furthermore, understanding compensation gaps helps identify valuable expertise and actionable development paths.

— Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Not necessarily having control of it, but understanding what Kanan did and how this was going to come back to him.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of understand

Verb

In May 2019, San Jose police retrieved the suspects’ phones from the arresting agencies and found photos taken inside a San Jose hotel two days before Tran’s killing.

— Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Keyan Rundell, 17, of DeLand, was arrested Wednesday in the July 28 killing of Dustin Rose, 19, and Samson Campbell, 18.

— Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of arrest

Verb

The findings from the 2017 eclipse suggested another explanation, known as the diffraction-interference, might be responsible for shadow bands.

— Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Raquel’s battling that same thing of just not really knowing how, but wanting to be in her version of being a good mom.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of know

Verb

At home, Indian authorities moved aggressively, seizing his properties and luxury assets, from high-end cars to jewelry and artworks.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
President Min Aung Hlaing, the former army chief who had originally seized power in 2021 from Suu Kyi’s civilian government, has been trying to win political legitimacy since the takeover and resume relations with ASEAN.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of seize

Verb

Bible said what investigators found on Luke Poteete's phone is difficult to comprehend.

— Shelley Bortz, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Dodson, after all, was the green-dot guy (the person who gets the calls from the sideline), something that can be rather difficult for a rookie to immediately comprehend.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026

Definition of comprehend

Verb

Deputies detained the suspect, later identified as Taele, and located his vehicle in the golf club's parking lot, the sheriff's department said.

— Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026
Deputies detained Farinacci the same day about a half-mile from where the fire started and questioned him, but he was ultimately released, Nowels said.

— Dennis Romero, NBC news, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of detain

Verb

Travel + Leisure’s 2026 World’s Best Awards recognized several standout properties, with Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico, earning the top spot among international wellness retreats for more than a decade.

— Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 5 Aug. 2026
The family’s case was rejected — despite being first and second generation, and despite Pedro Monasterios and his children having been recognized as citizens just a few years earlier.

— Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of recognize

Verb

Gulf states push China to restrain Iran Gulf states are pushing for China to rein in Iran as doubts grow about the US’ ability to end the five-month conflict.

— semafor.com, semafor.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Jor’Dell Richardson was lying face up on the ground with two officers restraining at least one of his hands when another officer shot him in the stomach.

— Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of restrain

Browse Nearby Words

appreciatory

apprehend

apprehended

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Style

“Apprehend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apprehend. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of apprehend

verb

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