Synonyms of arrest

arrest 1 of 2

verb

ə-ˈrest 

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

• seize
• apprehend
• restrain
• jail
• detain
• grab
• capture
• commit
• run in
• catch
• snatch
• nick
• bust
• imprison
• nab
• pull in
• incarcerate
• nail
• pinch
• trap
• pick up
• collar
• snap (up)
• snare
• hook
• confine
• land
• lock (up)
• handcuff
• rearrest
• grapple
• get
• remand
• bag
• hold
• bind
• intern
• shackle
• immure
• fetter
• enchain
• jug
• manacle
• trammel

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discharge
• release
• free
• liberate
• spring
• loose
• loosen
• emancipate
• unbind
• unchain

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

• stop
• halt
• catch
• stall
• stay
• check
• block
• hinder
• draw up
• pull up
• suspend
• impede
• detain
• hold up
• still
• bring up
• fetch up
• obstruct
• stem
• hold
• end
• conclude
• dam
• cut off
• hold back
• blockade
• snag
• balk
• terminate
• clog
• suppress
• discontinue
• bottleneck
• call
• repress
• baffle
• turn back
• stunt
• rein (in)
• choke off
• squelch
• stanch
• squash

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continue
• keep (on)
• run on
• persist
• carry on
• proceed
• move
• march
• keep up
• advance
• progress
• go along
• fare
• drive
• stir
• push
• follow through (with)
• spur
• propel
• budge
• impel
• goad
• wend
• actuate

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

• fascinate
• enchant
• grip
• thrill
• hypnotize
• catch up
• mesmerize
• entrance
• enthrall
• spellbind
• involve
• bedazzle
• engage
• charm
• enrapture
• bewitch
• beguile
• engross
• absorb

arrest

2 of 2

noun

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

• arrestment
• raid
• apprehension
• imprisonment
• collar
• seizure
• bust
• capture
• pinch
• detention
• incarceration
• confinement
• house arrest
• entrapment
• restraint
• captivity
• remand
• rearrest
• hold
• enchainment
• immurement

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discharge
• release
• liberation
• emancipation

2

as in cessation

the stopping of a process or activity

"hemostasis" is the technical term for arrest of bleeding

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cessation
• halt
• ending
• conclusion
• end
• closure
• close
• termination
• stop
• shutdown
• stoppage
• cease
• discontinuance
• stay
• arrestment
• discontinuation
• expiration
• shutoff
• finish
• lapse
• cutoff
• offset
• suspension
• surcease
• check
• pause
• closedown
• interruption
• phaseout
• standstill
• moratorium
• layoff
• abeyance
• mop-up
• break
• letup

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continuation
• continuance
• extension
• persistence
• prolongation

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of arrest

Verb

The two girls were arrested on suspicion of theft and vandalism and booked into Yolo County Juvenile Hall, Woodland police said. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2026

Both were arrested on suspicion of offenses against the state. — ABC News, 24 July 2026

Noun

Deputies found Stork and her partner outside the building with severe burns on their bodies, according to Stork’s arrest report. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026

Trey Songz has avoided jail time following his arrest last year over allegedly punching an employee at a nightclub in New York City. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 23 July 2026