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

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacker, an Omani national, was arrested in Saudi Arabia and was undergoing interrogation there. — ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026

The Denton County Sheriff’s Office arrested Wood Friday and charged him with solicitation of a minor via computer, according to county records. — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Noun

The family of a 36-year-old man is demanding answers after a Broward Sheriff’s Office K-9 bit him during an arrest captured on video. — Abby Dodge, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026

Someone still has to make arrests and run the prisons, and autocrats can buy loyalty by offering supporters state jobs. — Seva Gunitsky, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2026