apprehend
To officially arrest someone for a legal violation or to grasp the meaning of something mentally. It is primarily used in law enforcement contexts or in higher-level academic discussions regarding perception.
Examples
3 of 5The police were able to apprehend the shoplifter just outside the mall entrance.
The police managed to catch and arrest the person stealing from the store.
The suspect was apprehended following a coordinated effort by multiple law enforcement agencies.
The individual was taken into custody after several police groups worked together.
I didn't think they'd actually apprehend the guy who took my bike, but they did!
I didn't expect the police to catch the person who stole my bicycle.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the 'prehend' part as 'prehensile' (like a monkey's tail). It's all about 'grabbing'—either grabbing a criminal with hands or grabbing an idea with the mind.
Quick Quiz
The local authorities were praised for their ability to _______ the fugitive within twenty-four hours.
Correct!
The correct answer is: apprehend
Examples
The police were able to apprehend the shoplifter just outside the mall entrance.
everydayThe police managed to catch and arrest the person stealing from the store.
The suspect was apprehended following a coordinated effort by multiple law enforcement agencies.
formalThe individual was taken into custody after several police groups worked together.
I didn't think they'd actually apprehend the guy who took my bike, but they did!
informalI didn't expect the police to catch the person who stole my bicycle.
Kantian philosophy explores how the human mind can apprehend the phenomena of the external world.
academicKant's philosophy looks at how we perceive and understand the things around us.
Failure to apprehend the changing market trends could lead to a significant loss in revenue.
businessIf we don't understand the new trends in the market, we will lose money.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
fully apprehend the situation
to completely understand everything that is happening
apprehend the danger
to realize or perceive a potential threat
warrant to apprehend
a legal document authorizing an arrest
Often Confused With
Comprehend means to understand fully, while apprehend can mean to arrest OR to understand (usually a first perception).
Prehend is a rare or archaic root word meaning simply to seize; apprehend is the standard modern term.
Usage Notes
Use this word primarily when discussing the police catching a criminal. When used to mean 'understand,' it is quite formal and suggests a mental 'grasping' of a concept.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'apprehend' as a synonym for 'understand' in casual conversation, where 'get' or 'understand' is much more natural.
Memory Tip
Think of the 'prehend' part as 'prehensile' (like a monkey's tail). It's all about 'grabbing'—either grabbing a criminal with hands or grabbing an idea with the mind.
Word Origin
From the Latin 'apprehendere', meaning 'to seize' or 'to take hold of'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In legal dramas and news reports in English-speaking countries, 'apprehend' is the standard professional term used by officials instead of 'catch'.
Quick Quiz
The local authorities were praised for their ability to _______ the fugitive within twenty-four hours.
Correct!
The correct answer is: apprehend
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
proceed
C1The noun form, typically used in the plural 'proceeds,' refers to the total amount of money received from a particular event, sale, or activity. It is a formal term used in academic, legal, and business contexts to describe the result of a financial transaction or fundraising effort.
individual
C1Relating to a single person or thing as distinct from a group. It describes something that is intended for, or used by, one person rather than a collective entity.
appropriately
B2To perform an action in a manner that is suitable, right, or proper for a particular situation, person, or occasion. It implies following specific social norms, professional standards, or logical requirements.
region
B2A region is an area of land that has common features, such as geography, climate, or culture, which distinguish it from other areas. It can refer to a large part of a country or the world and is often used in administrative or scientific contexts to organize space.
resource
B2A stock or supply of money, materials, staff, and other assets that can be drawn on by a person or organization in order to function effectively. In academic and informational contexts, it refers to a source of information or expertise used to support research or learning.
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
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