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
Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2026
Family members and friends were persecuted, arrested, and killed.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026
Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 3 June 2026
The headline-splashing arrest came after LaBeouf claimed to be sober, blaming past abusive behavior on alcoholism.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for arrest
Verb
The police arrested the teens and charged them with simple assault, according to an email to Andrews from Sterling Faggart, CATS’ safety and security manager.
—Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2026
Family members and friends were persecuted, arrested, and killed.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026
Noun
The sheriffs of both counties announced the arrest of 47-year-old Joshua Cullen at a joint news conference on Wednesday.
—Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 3 June 2026
The headline-splashing arrest came after LaBeouf claimed to be sober, blaming past abusive behavior on alcoholism.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for arrest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arrest
Verb
-
In April, Ukraine actually took back more land than Russia seized for the first time since 2024.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
-
Metcalf's father has condemned those who have seized on the race of the teenagers after the killing.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
In order to secure the funds, the family members submitted fake financial instruments and money orders, continuing to do so even after the IRS sent them letters telling them to stop, according to the statement.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 June 2026
-
The order, which Trump signed in private on June 2, stops short of mandating that the federal government conduct safety evaluations and cybersecurity testing for advanced AI products.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
The combined disgust, discomfort, ignorance, and fascination with our Indigeneity that unsettled my aunties and fascinated my cousins made more sense to me.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 May 2026
-
While the remote learning time during the COVID pandemic was challenging for many students, Ashlyn Duran used it to learn more about a subject that fascinated her.—
Amy Stark Shireman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
The idea is that those first steps would create space for gradual deescalation and an effective cessation of hostilities.—
Khaled Wassef,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
-
Complete smoking cessation should remain the goal.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Odd moment plagues fourth quarter As the Knicks held on to their fairly sizable lead, a fan ran onto the court, tried to take a selfie with Wembanyama but was quickly apprehended by security.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
-
Akindahunsi was then apprehended by UCLA police officers near a parking structure.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Ukrainian long-range drone strikes on refineries and export terminals have forced Moscow to halt exports of gasoline and jet fuel, but pushed more crude into the global market at a moment of surging prices, driving export revenues to also reach their highest level since 2022.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
4 June 2026
-
In a town of around 20,000 people, over 2,000 of them signed a petition to halt the project, per FOX59.—
Frank Landymore,
Futurism,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Then take a ride on Shrek & Fiona’s Happily Ogre After to hear how an ogre and a princess were enchanted by love.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 May 2026
-
But Crowther’s sleuthing determines that Joyce’s novel was a regular companion of hers, and she was particularly enchanted with Molly Bloom’s closing soliloquy.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 May 2026
Noun
-
Prosecutors say Ian Roberts spent nearly two decades working in urban schools without authorization, using a counterfeit Social Security card as Des Moines’ leader, even as Trump-era ICE raids intensified.—
Hannah Fingerhut,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
-
The bakery became a gathering point for community support during federal immigration raids in Charlotte last fall, when Betancur temporarily closed the shop for the first time in its history.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arrest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arrest. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
