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
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 arrest
Jason Green, Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2026
The person who controls the company was arrested in early December with the cooperation of police in another province, Shandong, the newspaper said.
—ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026
Police say arrest warrants were obtained for the three suspects, who all surrendered without incident.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for arrest
Verb
Solis left the scene, prosecutors said, but officers found and arrested her later that morning.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2026
The person who controls the company was arrested in early December with the cooperation of police in another province, Shandong, the newspaper said.
—ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Noun
Mullin said officers would only use a warrant signed by a judge to forcibly enter homes to make arrests, except in limited circumstances.
—Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026
Police say arrest warrants were obtained for the three suspects, who all surrendered without incident.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for arrest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arrest
Verb
-
Gil Messing, the Chief of Staff of Check Point, an Israeli cybersecurity company, said the FBI seizing the Handala site would help combat the perception of Iran’s cyber ability.—
Kevin Collier,
NBC news,
19 Mar. 2026
-
So, when Ozzie (Kyle Bary), a former child star, finds himself in a heap of trouble, Jax seizes the opportunity to spice up her daily routine.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Leave the resort to dine at Sunset Mona Lisa, a neighboring cliffside terrace where Mediterranean-leaning plates play second fiddle to the show-stopping tangerine-pink sunsets.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Pavel Zacha had both goals for Boston, and Jeremy Swayman stopped 28 shots.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the story, a fictional scientist, Dobb, studies personoid theology and is fascinated by their struggles to understand the nature of their creator, leading to their eventual rejection of Dobb as a deity.—
Dimitris Tsementzis,
Fortune,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Ever since that fateful 1950s day in New Jersey when Steve Spielberg's father roused him from slumber to take a late-night rural drive out to watch a spectacular shooting star show, the legendary filmmaker has been fascinated with outer space and the mysteries of the cosmos.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Everyone in the study also underwent cognitive behavioral therapy for smoking cessation over the course of 13 weeks.—
Will Stone,
NPR,
10 Mar. 2026
-
In effect, the strait has turned into a parking lot, with an almost complete cessation of ships going through, experts and marine traffic monitoring services say.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Security appeared to quickly apprehend the man and escorted him away as sombr returned to the mic and completed the performance.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Even before the positive results are in, Matteo turns out to be a chip off the old block by joining McGee in apprehending the kidnapper, a vengeful TURF staff cook.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Northern Israel has come under especially heavy fire from Hezbollah in recent days, and residents, including people in traditional Netanyahu strongholds, have voiced anger over Israel's failure to halt the attacks.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Trump’s warning is the latest in the fight over the strait, which Iran has effectively closed since the start of the war, halting global shipping and roiling the oil trade.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Designer Michael Rider knows that his job is not to tantalize the world with his ego, a tendency that has brought us countless collections of oversized, lumpy garments that are unrealistic for people to wear, but to enchant them with terrific clothes.—
Rachel Tashjian,
CNN Money,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The face enchanting enough to gain entry into this party of the Four Hundred.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
According to court filings in the Eastern District of Virginia, the feds said the raid was a necessary part of an investigation into government leaks.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The raids at Prime Social and Post Oak Poker Club led to the arrest of nine people associated with the clubs, according to ABC13.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arrest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arrest. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
