apprehending

verb

present participle of apprehend
1
as in knowing
to have a clear idea of do you apprehend the importance of this discovery?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in arresting
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 apprehending The film cuts between Murray cautiously opening the suspicious package and FBI agents apprehending Kaczynski decades later. — Jane Lacroix, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2026 One deputy suffered minor injuries while apprehending Cody Frank, while another was treated for possible fentanyl exposure after taking one of the suspects to jail, authorities said. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 20 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 The Nodaway County Sheriff’s Office, United States Marshals Service and New Mexico State Police assisted in apprehending Jones, Hann said. — Caroline Zimmerman may 28, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2026 Federal immigration agents fanned across the city, apprehending workers at car washes, garment businesses, Home Depots and other locations. — Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026 This arc is advancing slower than a glacier on Hoth, and Mando apprehending a couple of mid-level Imps on the big screen doesn't really fill the gap. — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 25 May 2026 In the video shared exclusively with Fox News by ICE, officers are seen apprehending and arresting the Honduran national. — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Danamarie McNicholl, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026 The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 compelled authorities in northern free states to assist in apprehending and returning those who escaped back to slavery. — Jeremy Mennis, The Conversation, 1 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apprehending
  1. knowing
  2. arresting
  3. understanding
  4. seizing
  5. recognizing
  6. detaining
  7. deciphering
  8. comprehending
Verb
  • In other words, knowing how ads prompt purchase decisions is even more of a brass ring than ever.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Feels like groundhog day to be back here knowing what the problem is and also knowing that the front office probably can't do anything about it.
    — James Mirtle, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of knowing
Verb
  • After arresting the men, deputies found two 1,200-gallon fuel tanks and pumping equipment inside their van.
    — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Riot police have used tear gas and charged at protesters in numerous incidents, injuring hundreds and arresting thousands.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of arresting
Verb
  • My breadth of experience from my upbringing to fighting for Arkansans from all walks of life, gives me an advantage in understanding that life story every person brings into my court.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Being able to share those same schedules, having the same passion and truly understanding what the other person is talking about — that’s a real plus.
    — Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of understanding
Verb
  • Grapevine finds a win against Eagle Mountain Grapevine football moved to 1-1 in District 3-5A Division II, seizing a 34-14 victory over Fort Worth Eagle Mountain on Friday.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Oct. 2026
  • With Pharrell Williams steering the production ship, the Athens, Georgia native wasted no time in seizing the opportunity to create his most cohesive, genre-bending body of work to date.
    — Mikey Fresh, VIBE.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of seizing
Verb
  • Not recognizing the producers and not understanding the movie are different things, to be sure.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2026
  • They haven’t been given names yet, but the babies have started recognizing their carers.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of recognizing
Verb
  • Clampdown Over the weekend, Indian security forces reportedly clamped down on protests in the capital city, detaining young people, several opposition party politicians, YouTubers, lawyers and a few journalists.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Following Saturday's protests, authorities launched a sweeping security crackdown in the capital, detaining more than 2,000 protesters, including several opposition lawmakers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of detaining
Verb
  • 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
  • In addition to developing better medicines or fragrances, 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.
    — Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of deciphering
Verb
  • Understanding that this is policy is crucial for comprehending how Israeli soldiers are expected to dutifully erase entire villages without questioning orders.
    — Jay Weissberg, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026
  • By utilizing three classes of agents, Microsoft is effectively comprehending the entire threat lifecycle.
    — Will Townsend, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of comprehending

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apprehending
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Cite this Entry

“Apprehending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apprehending. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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