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 Aguirre was apprehended last month in Venezuela, and Patel subsequently told lawmakers the FBI had captured one of the nation's top fugitives. — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026 The video includes the search of Mangione's bag when he was apprehended at an Altoona McDonald's, the retrieval of the murder weapon and Mangione's transport in a squad car. — Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026 Moscow’s citywide facial recognition system, deployed across 200,000 cameras, was used to identify and apprehend protesters during the 2021 antigovernment demonstrations. — Seva Gunitsky, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2026 After being apprehended in Syria, she was transferred to FBI custody in January 2022. — Sara Harmouch, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for apprehend

Recent Examples of Synonyms for apprehend

Verb

If a degree needs to equip students for life outside of college, then a big part of that is understanding what employers are looking for.

— Reynald Fasciaux, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
In addition to developing better medicines or perfumes, deciphering the mirror images of molecules can help scientists understand the chemical architecture of life, said chemist Holden Thorp, editor-in-chief of the journal Science.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of understand

Verb

Choudri also made headlines earlier this year after the authority put him on leave after police arrested him at his Folsom home following a fight between his daughter and fiancée.

— Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2026
In 2019, Italian police arrested three people in a scheme to sell at least 11,000 counterfeit bottles of Tignanello in Italy, Germany and Belgium, labeled as 2009, 2010 and 2011 vintages but filled with low-quality wine.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of arrest

Verb

Just 20% of Gen Z knew their exact interest rate on their credit debt—the lowest of any generation and well below baby boomers.

— Joshua Hong, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
The low-lying coastal area is known for its powdery white sand beaches dotted with vacation homes, waterfront bars and seafood shacks.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of know

Verb

Meanwhile in 2023, the company seized the opportunity to launch on TikTok Shop with select brands shortly after the platform’s Stateside debut, and has since continued to innovate there through live-selling and cutting-edge creator partnerships.

— Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
The document notes that a bailiff has previously seized and auctioned property from the premises, but that has not met the debt.

— Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of seize

Verb

Unfortunately, the average consumer doesn’t have the knowledge necessary to comprehend and act on those results.

— Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2026
The resulting consequences to the information ecosystem are hard to comprehend, with Brown Brothers Media claiming to vacuum up tens of millions of views via their scheme.

— Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of comprehend

Verb

If a student is detained or deported, college officials must try to help the student retain their eligibility for financial aid, research funding, housing stipends and other benefits the student was awarded, per the state policy.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
All five, as well as a sixth suspect detained later, were released on bail.

— Steve Hendrix, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of detain

Verb

Scripture permits men to take several wives, but Indonesian law does not recognize those unions.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
The Langham actually staffs two recognized Les Clefs d'Or members—an elite concierge organization with only 3,000 members internationally.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of recognize

Verb

The Indian captain opened the cockpit door after being attacked with an ax so that passengers could restrain the terrorist co-pilot.

— Editorial Board, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026
An image from a San Francisco police officer's body camera shows an officer punching Kevon Gibson as he is being restrained by other officers.

— Senior Editor, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of restrain

Browse Nearby Words

appreciatory

apprehend

apprehended

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of apprehend

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

nexus

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

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

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes