1
as in to seize
to take or keep under one's control by authority of law
the inept robber was promptly arrested by the off-duty policeman he had tried to hold up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to stop
to bring (something) to a standstill
cryogenics is based on the idea that extreme cold can almost arrest molecular motion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to fascinate
to hold the attention of as if by a spell
the sight of the daredevil walking a tightrope between high-rises arrested area pedestrians and motorists alike
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in arrestment
the act of taking into one's control by authority of law
there have been only two arrests for driving while intoxicated in the county in the last six months
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cessation
the stopping of a process or activity
"hemostasis" is the technical term for arrest of bleeding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of arrest
Paul Flahive, Austin American Statesman, 15 Jan. 2026
The answer seems to be first arresting, and then reversing, this process of deforestation and habitat destruction.
—Tom Hawking, Popular Science, 15 Jan. 2026
Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 14 Jan. 2026
That’s because his arrest warrant would probably be picked up during a TSA screening at any commercial airport.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for arrest
Verb
The suit claims he was arrested and the company spent $90,000 on attorneys to defend him.
—Paul Flahive, Austin American Statesman, 15 Jan. 2026
The answer seems to be first arresting, and then reversing, this process of deforestation and habitat destruction.
—Tom Hawking, Popular Science, 15 Jan. 2026
Noun
The immigrant community in the North Georgia town of Dalton is reeling from a late December immigration raid that led to 40 arrests.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 14 Jan. 2026
That’s because his arrest warrant would probably be picked up during a TSA screening at any commercial airport.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for arrest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arrest
Verb
-
Venezuela seized Exxon's and Conoco's assets in 2007, and Caracas owes the companies billions of dollars in outstanding claims from arbitration cases.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Hannah Natanson, who covers the federal government, was at home when the FBI searched the property and her devices, seizing a phone, Garmin watch and both a personal and work laptop, according to the news organization.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
If this is your habit, be sure to stop adding fertilizer in the fall when plant growth begins to slow.—
Alexandra Jones,
The Spruce,
21 Jan. 2026
-
When boat rentals stop for the winter, plan to take a walk around the basin instead of paddling on it for equally impressive views.—
Cailey Rizzo,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Details of the service were kept private, but the family's public show of solidarity in turning out to support Caroline is typical of the Kennedy dynasty, which has fascinated Americans for decades.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Why does Kubrick’s work continue to fascinate, thrill, and move us?—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
31 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
University of Oxford researchers assessed a range of clinical trials as well as Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane and Web of Science databases, with a focus on what happened after cessation of treatment regarding adults who were overweight or obese.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Most of the complexes also include unusual amenities like on-site child care, smoking cessation classes, areas for on-site food cultivation, English classes, advice for job searches and help securing a high school diploma.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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After one of the federal officers attempted to apprehend the man, two other people arrived from a nearby apartment, and all three started attacking the officer, DHS claimed.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
15 Jan. 2026
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The team successfully seizes two tons of gold and apprehends the leader of the criminal network.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
On Wednesday, a federal judge declined to issue a temporary restraining order to halt the operations.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
16 Jan. 2026
-
One was a sense of the evils of narcotrafficking; Petro recited a litany of statistics about Colombia’s efforts to halt drug smuggling.—
Jon Lee Anderson,
New Yorker,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Her popular romance stories have enchanted readers' hearts with mesmerizing tales, and by providing hope to others, Henry’s books have made generations fall head over heels for her writing.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Coperni’s timing proved, well, enchanted.—
Faran Krentcil,
InStyle,
31 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Federal agents arrested one person as part of the raid, and later, two protesters in the parking lot.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Other factors are driving up beef prices, too, including feed costs because of tariffs coming from Canada and labor shortages with immigrant raids on ranches.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arrest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arrest. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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