apprehend

verb

ap·​pre·​hend ˌa-pri-ˈhend How to pronounce apprehend (audio)
apprehended; apprehending; apprehends

transitive verb

1
: arrest, seize
apprehend a thief
2
a
: to become aware of : perceive
She immediately apprehended the problem.
b
: to anticipate especially with anxiety, dread, or fear
3
: to grasp with the understanding : recognize the meaning of

Did you know?

To apprehend is to seize, either physically or mentally. So to apprehend a thief is to nab him. But to apprehend a confusing news story, or to apprehend a difficult concept in physics, is to understand it—that is, to "grasp" it mentally. If you're apprehensive about something that's about to happen, it means you've grasped all the unpleasant possibilities and are waiting with anxiety or dread.

Examples of apprehend in a Sentence

Within hours, police had apprehended the thief. subtle differences that are difficult to apprehend
Recent Examples on the Web Authorities were not immediately able to apprehend Hamlin and initially circulated his photo, asking for the public’s assistance, per the NYPD statement. Samira Asma-Sadeque, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024 Isaacs had avoided arrest for nine months when he was apprehended in January 2020 by U.S. Marshals in Houston. Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 6 Mar. 2024 The recruits spread out methodically, moving in and apprehending the assailants without a shot being fired. Loveday Morris, Washington Post, 5 Mar. 2024 In the past few days, the checkpoint said agents have apprehended the following: a fugitive wanted for federal probation violation stemming from cocaine smuggling, a criminal with a no-bail felony warrant out of San Bernardino, 9.3 pounds of marijuana, 6.5 pounds of meth and $31,794. Elizabeth Pritchett, Fox News, 1 Mar. 2024 If seen, police urge citizens to contact local or Blue Springs police and to not attempt to apprehend the suspect. Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2024 The suspect, a 36-year-old man, then ran away from deputies after the car was stopped, but he was apprehended by a K-9, deputies said. Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 26 Feb. 2024 Its guests had crossed the border illegally before either being apprehended or seeking out immigration officials to apply for asylum. Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2024 Encounters include both the cases where someone is apprehended or detained temporarily, then released into the U.S. with a future court date, and people who are turned away. Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 16 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'apprehend.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin apprehendere, literally, to seize, from ad- + prehendere to seize — more at get

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of apprehend was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near apprehend

Cite this Entry

“Apprehend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apprehend. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

apprehend

verb
ap·​pre·​hend ˌap-ri-ˈhend How to pronounce apprehend (audio)
1
: arrest entry 1 sense 2
apprehend a burglar
2
: to look forward to with fear and uncertainty
3

Legal Definition

apprehend

transitive verb
ap·​pre·​hend ˌa-prə-ˈhend How to pronounce apprehend (audio)
: arrest
Etymology

Latin apprehendere to seize, arrest, from ad to + prehendere to seize

More from Merriam-Webster on apprehend

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