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 In early September, London apprehended a British national hired by the Russian intelligence services to sabotage a drone factory in the United Kingdom. — Franklin C. Miller, Foreign Affairs, 15 Sep. 2026 Tshuma, who was identified as a British citizen of Zimbabwean heritage, was arrested in Johannesburg on July 10 while in possession of a gun and ammunition after Interpol issued a notice for him to be apprehended. — ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026 In other words, the dogs will help ICE agents apprehend their targets with Healey and Wu looking on. — Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2026 Authorities apprehended the father and son in a warehouse in Sonora, Mexico. — Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for apprehend

Recent Examples of Synonyms for apprehend

Verb

Anyone who is actually a friend will understand that and respect your boundaries.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
The reality star will compete on Netflix’s Million Dollar Secret as Deadline understands that the streamer renewed it for a third season.

— Peter White, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of understand

Verb

An 18-year-old woman was bound and raped by a man inside his Queens apartment more than a year ago, and a suspect has now been arrested, police and law enforcement sources said Friday.

— Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 26 Sep. 2026
The driver, identified as 54-year-old Robert Delorenzo of Stratford, was arrested and charged with reckless driving, operating an unregistered motor vehicle and failure to stop on the right side of the road.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of arrest

Verb

The charges stemmed from fighting more than a decade ago between the predominantly Muslim Seleka rebels who seized power from then-President François Bozizé, and a mainly Christian militia called the anti-Balaka.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2026
Confession has also been a way for artists to seize authority from systems that preferred them silent, decorative, or safely explained.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of seize

Verb

Ironically, sports uniforms at Eton are even harder to comprehend than the regular daily uniform.

— Eva Wolchover, Vanity Fair, 21 Sep. 2026
After an incredible day exploring Bimota’s unique vision for the KB998 Rimini at Laguna Seca, trying to comprehend how well the Elite version rides on track takes some fantastic leaps of imagination.

— Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of comprehend

Verb

Video taken after the shooting and obtained by CNN shows Garces Perez sitting on a curb with his hands cuffed behind his back as he’s detained by authorities.

— Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026
Officers responded, detained and identified him, according to the department.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of detain

Verb

Lourdes became a major pilgrimage destination after the Catholic Church officially recognized visions of the Virgin Mary reported here by a young girl in 1858.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2026
Interim peace accords in the 1990s recognized their water rights but preserved a system that allocated some 80% of water pumped from the main aquifer for Israeli use.

— Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of recognize

Verb

Chinese leader Xi Jinping brought a message of peace to Washington this week, calling on both countries to restrain their competition and, above all, avoid war.

— Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor, 25 Sep. 2026
Adults can receive a $250 ticket for failing to properly restrain a child.

— Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 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 28 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of apprehend

verb

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