1
as in knowing
to have a clear idea of
do you apprehend the importance of this discovery?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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Recent Examples of apprehending
Protesters in Minneapolis have since flooded the streets in the thousands, and ICE agents have responded by apprehending some, shoving others to the ground, and spraying chemical irritants in their faces.
—
Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2026
While our immigration enforcement should be focused on apprehending and prosecuting violent criminals to make our communities safer, these ICE actions are doing the opposite and making our state less safe.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Brown was extradited to Miami from Essex County, New Jersey, where law enforcement took him Thursday after apprehending him in Dubai.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 12 Nov. 2025
Bands of masked men apprehending people in broad daylight in the streets and hauling them off.
—J. David McSwane, ProPublica, 18 Oct. 2025
The swift police response and use of video surveillance technology proved crucial in identifying and apprehending the shooter.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
But also on board the ship that night is this detective who is charged with apprehending Providence.
—Olivia Petty, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2025
Rider agents are tasked with fighting drug smuggling and human trafficking, locating and apprehending undocumented migrants and occasionally rescuing migrants and citizen hikers.
—Suzanne Wright, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025
Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2026
While our immigration enforcement should be focused on apprehending and prosecuting violent criminals to make our communities safer, these ICE actions are doing the opposite and making our state less safe.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Brown was extradited to Miami from Essex County, New Jersey, where law enforcement took him Thursday after apprehending him in Dubai.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 12 Nov. 2025
Bands of masked men apprehending people in broad daylight in the streets and hauling them off.
—J. David McSwane, ProPublica, 18 Oct. 2025
The swift police response and use of video surveillance technology proved crucial in identifying and apprehending the shooter.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
But also on board the ship that night is this detective who is charged with apprehending Providence.
—Olivia Petty, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2025
Rider agents are tasked with fighting drug smuggling and human trafficking, locating and apprehending undocumented migrants and occasionally rescuing migrants and citizen hikers.
—Suzanne Wright, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apprehending
Verb
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When travel days are long and logistics are already tricky, knowing exactly where everything is feels like a small (but necessary) luxury.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Jan. 2026
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The Louisvillian has gotten used to the poke, knowing firsthand how his temporary discomfort can be of long-lasting help.—
Matthew Glowicki,
Louisville Courier Journal,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In response, Republican lawmakers in December introduced the Safeguarding Homeland Immigration Enforcement from Local Detention (SHIELD) Act, which would prohibit local police from arresting federal agents.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
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Police released a video asking for help before arresting McKee in Rockford, Illinois, linking him to a car seen on surveillance video around the murder scene.—
Sara Machi,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The key to making the right decision is understanding all your options beforehand.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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His perspective positions the next wave of transformation not around deeper analysis, but around autonomous action, systems capable of understanding situations, deciding optimal responses, and executing those responses in real time.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But seizing current oil production is one thing; overhauling Venezuela's entire oil industry would be another.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
7 Jan. 2026
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Trump has occasionally discussed seizing Greenland since his first term but few initially took his threats seriously.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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On the whole, higher limits offer better protection, so recognizing the differences in coverage between minimum requirements and real-life needs can inform better decision-making in this regard.—
Ethan M. Stone,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
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The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) has announced the nominees for its 2026 Outstanding Achievement Awards, recognizing excellence in feature films, documentaries, television and music videos.—
Brande Victorian,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Those groups have been active in the streets, detaining opponents and reinforcing regime authority through intimidation.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Venezuela’s government launched a far-reaching crackdown after Maduro’s ouster, detaining journalists and civilians and sending armed gangs to the streets.—
María Luisa Paúl,
Washington Post,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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By building out a picture of the whales’ health, habits and diet, researchers are deciphering the many ways humans impact their lives and guiding conservation actions that may mean life or death for the orcas.—
Kelso Harper,
Scientific American,
16 Dec. 2025
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By uncovering these complex vocal structures, this research marks a crucial step in deciphering the meaning behind sperm whale communication.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
12 Nov. 2025
Verb
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As for whether comprehending the wiring of the brain really demands techniques from the frontiers of theoretical physics, questions remain.—
Lee Billings,
Scientific American,
13 Jan. 2026
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And only by comprehending the Star Eaters will Ro also comprehend his part in their potential destruction.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Apprehending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apprehending. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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