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 Camron Harris, 19, was found hiding in a dormitory closet on campus when he was apprehended Saturday afternoon. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 16 Aug. 2026 The second film dropped in November and followed the duo's undercover mission to track and apprehend the mysterious pit viper Gary De'Snake. — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026 She’s tasked with apprehending The Puppet Master (Iemasa Kayumi), a hacker who appears to be tapping directly into these networked minds and altering memories. — David Faris, TheWeek, 14 Aug. 2026 Five days after gunning down Thompson, Mangione was apprehended by local police in a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, when a person recognized him from a surveillance photo. — Dan Mangan, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for apprehend

Recent Examples of Synonyms for apprehend

Verb

Three-dimensional geological modelling has improved the ability to understand how a mineral system is shaped at depth.

— Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
The challenge is not simply understanding asset allocation theory but also selecting managers, accessing differentiated opportunities and integrating them into a broader portfolio.

— Alex Shahidi, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of understand

Verb

There have been no arrests made in relation to the death, police told CNN, but the father of one of Fortune’s children was arrested shortly after the discovery of her body on unrelated weapons charges, jail records show.

— Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Nor could the state provide recidivism or success rate data related to the total number of participants who violated probation, were arrested or who successfully completed the program.

— Julie Watts August 20, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of arrest

Verb

My ‘Harmony’ massage is inspired by Lomi Lomi—a traditional Hawaiian healing technique known for its continuous, flowing strokes.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
The experience is…less fun, although bad film aficionados know that some level of tedium is inherent to almost all of the most canonical worst movies ever.

— Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of know

Verb

The next season Keegan was joint top scorer as Liverpool were champions of England for the first time in seven years and also seized the club’s historic first European trophy.

— Michael Walker, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
Internet sleuths, predictably, have seized on this ambiguity as proof of malfeasance.

— Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of seize

Verb

He was detained in March last year and deported to El Salvador, but White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, and other administration officials, later admitted that the removal was due to a clerical error.

— Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
As the court met Monday on Yabloko’s appeal, the party’s supporters gathered outside the courthouse and Russian media reported that several dozen people were detained.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of detain

Verb

As of August, Maroma officially begins to accommodate guests again following a soft opening, and those familiar with the property will recognize many of the same staff, many of whom possess an encyclopedic knowledge of the hotel and wider region.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Aug. 2026
Subsequent drills eliminate even more candidates, but not Shannon (Shannon Hayes), a local Richmond soccer enthusiast whom Ted recognizes and greets by name.

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of recognize

Verb

Yet its bodywork is relatively restrained, avoiding the huge wings, complex vents and aggressive appendages found on many contemporary hypercars.

— Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
One of the topics raised by Cullen is that Championship clubs need to find ways to boost income alongside restraining costs.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 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 24 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of apprehend

verb

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