APPREHEND Synonyms: 99 Similar and Opposite Words

apprehend

verb

ˌa-pri-ˈhend

Definition of apprehend

as in to understand

to have a clear idea of do you apprehend the importance of this discovery?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to arrest

to take or keep under one's control by authority of law the agency charged with apprehending criminals who have violated federal law

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 apprehend Rising antisemitic hate-crime stats suggest the proliferation of deranged bigots terrorizing the Jewish community, some who may go on to commit deadly crimes if they are not apprehended. — Rachel Sales, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026 But on Sunday morning, as the couple walked out of their rideshare outside Midway Airport, they were apprehended by federal immigration agents. — Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026 McCoy cautioned that anyone who spots Phegley should not attempt to approach or apprehend him. — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026 The defendant, who was apprehended on the scene, has pleaded not guilty and the case is ongoing. — Chad De Guzman, Time, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for apprehend

Recent Examples of Synonyms for apprehend

Verb

The team says understanding why the impurities do not prevent the formation of high-quality pyrite could help guide the development of similar materials from abundant resources.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026
Yet Rosenwald understood that people who command such great resources also have a responsibility to use these resources to help others.

— Harold Pollack, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of understand

Verb

The teen did not realize his mother and brother were dead until after he was arrested, his defense attorney, Debra DeWitt, told WCVB.

— Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
The Ventura County Sheriff's Office arrested a woman for allegedly slashing several cars' tires in a Camarillo neighborhood earlier this week.

— Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of arrest

Verb

That included conversations with people within the Seahawks organization who know him, most notably backup quarterback Jalen Milroe, who played with Arnold at Alabama.

— Tobias Bass, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Accessible only by boat and completely untouched, CNN’s Leroy Ah Ben explores this gem known mostly to locals.

— Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of know

Verb

At home, Indian authorities moved aggressively, seizing his properties and luxury assets, from high-end cars to jewelry and artworks.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
President Min Aung Hlaing, the former army chief who had originally seized power in 2021 from Suu Kyi’s civilian government, has been trying to win political legitimacy since the takeover and resume relations with ASEAN.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of seize

Verb

Results that improve lives will be shaped by leaders who prioritize ethical frameworks, invest in workforce skills and hybrid architectures, and comprehend the relationships between technologies.

— Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
An early version of the Orb, which looked like a miniature Death Star, spat out physical coins, like a slot machine, presumably to make the point about the quid pro quo to people who might not quite comprehend blockchain.

— Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of comprehend

Verb

Speaking on a visit to a Russian warship that was taking part in a naval exercise in the Pacific, Putin described the Western moves to detain vessels linked to Russia as a breach of international maritime law.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
Gilman, who served in the Marines from August 2019 until August 2020, had been detained in 2022.

— Henry Austin, NBC news, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of detain

Verb

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, which Belgrade still does not recognize.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
Comedian, actor, and entertainer Bill Bellamy will be presented with the Icon Award at the 2026 Whats Funny Comedy Festival, recognizing his decades of excellence and impact on stand-up comedy and entertainment.

— Angelique Jackson, Variety, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of recognize

Verb

China can link humanitarian assistance, openness to border trade, energy supplies, and the provision of infrastructure to North Korea’s willingness to restrain its military threats.

— ZHENG JIYONG, Foreign Affairs, 10 Aug. 2026
Cunningham had to be restrained following the play and appeared to show her teammates that her mouth was bleeding.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of restrain

Browse Nearby Words

appreciatory

apprehend

apprehended

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Style

“Apprehend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apprehend. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of apprehend

verb

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