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 Dream forward Angel Reese quickly pointed out the perpetrator from her seat on the bench, and the spectator was apprehended by arena security. — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Once apprehended, the suspect will face charges including terroristic threats, harassment, simple assault, reckless endangerment and intimidation, Smith previously told reporters. — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026 Jose Zamora walked away from the facility in early April but was apprehended minutes later. — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026 Seconds after the unprovoked attack, Mercedes walked out of the McDonald’s and was quickly apprehended by police, who spotted him still holding the knife, Tierney said. — Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for apprehend

Recent Examples of Synonyms for apprehend

Verb

Luiz understands that aspect, too, acknowledging that Sporting KC needed him four separate times during Thursday’s news conference.

— Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
Instead of starting with a new component, its engineers worked to understand the hardware already available to NAVAIR.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of understand

Verb

After years of legal proceedings in the United Kingdom and Romania, the Tates were arrested in Miami by US Marshals on July 18 on provisional arrest warrants requested by Britain.

— Jonny Hallam, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
Then, in March 2025, he was arrested for the rape of a 46-year-old woman earlier that year.

— Joaquin Sapien, ProPublica, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of arrest

Verb

The Texas high school football season is underway, and several Fort Worth-area teams seized statement wins.

— Charles Baggarly August 29, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026
But while the Jets’ defense piled up takeaways, the rookie quarterback failed to seize the spotlight during the 23-6 loss to the Giants.

— Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of seize

Verb

Prosecutors said that soon afterward, law enforcement detained both defendants and opened a duffle bag Olvera had carried.

— City News Service, Daily News, 25 Aug. 2026
Ordered detained until trial, he was found dead in his cell at a New York federal jail in August 2019 and his death was ruled a suicide.

— Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of detain

Verb

The honorees, recognized for their craftsmanship, service and dedication within the property department and the broader production community in entertainment, were announced Tuesday.

— Isabelle Farina, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
The following year, she was recognized with the prestigious Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy for her decades of charitable efforts, which also include her foundation’s Imagination Library, a monthly book gifting program for children under five.

— Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of recognize

Verb

The main thing stock folks are worried about – the voracious consumption and headlong deployment of capital for AI – is now the thing lifting rates and potentially restraining growth elsewhere.

— Michael Santoli, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026
Cameramen raced around hectically setting up lights and checking shots as choreographers ran through fight sequences and a prop team worked out how to hoist a net that would later restrain a hostage.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 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 31 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of apprehend

verb

Example Sentences

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