Word
apprehend
Phoneticsap·pre·hend, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌæpɹɪˈhɛnd/
UK/ˌæpɹɪhˈɛnd/
Definition
v. to catch and arrest someone who has broken the law. It can also mean to understand something clearly.
v. to seize or take into custody by legal authority; additionally, to perceive or grasp the meaning of something. Transitive — requires a direct object.
Examples
“The police hope to apprehend the suspect tonight.”
“Officers were able to apprehend the thief just three blocks away from the jewelry store.”
“While the detective worked to apprehend the fugitive, the philosopher struggled to apprehend the complex metaphysical concepts presented in the ancient text.”
Examples
simple
“The police hope to apprehend the suspect tonight.”
contextual
“Officers were able to apprehend the thief just three blocks away from the jewelry store.”
complex
“While the detective worked to apprehend the fugitive, the philosopher struggled to apprehend the complex metaphysical concepts presented in the ancient text.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object. In its sense of 'understanding', it is more formal than 'grasp' or 'comprehend'.
Real-World Examples
“Liberian authorities say they are determined to apprehend the foreign nationals, and that they are targeting all parts of the drug-trafficking network: organisers, facilitators and financiers.” “They set about “apprehending” her children – “apprehending” being the verb used by these child welfare agencies to mask their atrocities.” Etymology
From Late Middle English apprehenden (“to grasp, take hold of; to comprehend; to learn”), from Old French apprehender (modern French appréhender (“to apprehend; to catch; to dread”)), from Latin apprehendere, adprehendere, the present active infinitive of apprehendō, adprehendō (“to grab, grasp, seize, take; to apprehend, arrest; to comprehend, understand; to embrace, include; to take possession of, obtain, secure”), from ap-, ad- (prefix meaning ‘to’) + prehendō (“to grab, grasp, seize, snatch, take; to accost; to catch in the act, take by surprise; (figuratively, rare) of the mind: to apprehend, comprehend, grasp”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *gʰed- (“to hold, seize, take; to find”)).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/apprehend