apprehend
verb
ap·pre·hend
ˌa-pri-ˈhend 
apprehended; apprehending; apprehends
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.
Synonyms
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 finally tracked down the Huracán on Oct. 7 and apprehended a man believed to have stolen it.
—
Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 19 Nov. 2024
Ahead of the election, polls showed increasing support among Latinos for tougher border enforcement following rising numbers of immigrants arriving at the border or apprehended.
—Suzanne Gamboa, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
In this body camera image provided by the Orlando Police Department shows police apprehending a suspect after responding to a shooting that took place among crowds during Halloween celebrations early Friday, Nov. 1. 2024 in Orlando, Fla.
—CBS News, 1 Nov. 2024
Surveillance video captured the chaos of people fleeing the scene as officers apprehended the suspect.
—Jon Haworth, ABC News, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for apprehend 
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Dictionary Entries Near apprehend
Cite this Entry
“Apprehend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apprehend. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
apprehend
verb
ap·pre·hend
ˌap-ri-ˈhend
1
: arrest entry 1 sense 2
apprehend a burglar
2
: to look forward to with fear and uncertainty
Legal Definition
apprehend
transitive verb
ap·pre·hend
ˌa-prə-ˈhend
: arrest
Etymology
Latin apprehendere to seize, arrest, from ad to + prehendere to seize
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