1
as in to seize
to take or keep under one's control by authority of law
the inept robber was promptly arrested by the off-duty policeman he had tried to hold up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to stop
to bring (something) to a standstill
cryogenics is based on the idea that extreme cold can almost arrest molecular motion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to fascinate
to hold the attention of as if by a spell
the sight of the daredevil walking a tightrope between high-rises arrested area pedestrians and motorists alike
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in arrestment
the act of taking into one's control by authority of law
there have been only two arrests for driving while intoxicated in the county in the last six months
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cessation
the stopping of a process or activity
"hemostasis" is the technical term for arrest of bleeding
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 arrest
Reuters, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025
Owen Cooper plays Jamie Miller, a boy who is arrested for the murder of one of his classmates.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 18 Apr. 2025
In response, Bukele declared a state of exception, which is still in effect, suspending many of the country’s due process rights and commencing a wave of mass arrests.
—Danielle MacKey, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arrest
Verb
Karachi/Lahore Reuters — Police have arrested scores of people in Pakistan in recent weeks after more than 10 mob attacks on outlets of US fast-food chain KFC, sparked by anti-United States sentiment and opposition to its ally Israel’s war in Gaza, officials said.
—Reuters, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025
Owen Cooper plays Jamie Miller, a boy who is arrested for the murder of one of his classmates.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
Haley Joel Osment is apologizing after body cam footage of his arrest went viral on social media, in which he is heard using an antisemitic slur.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 18 Apr. 2025
In response, Bukele declared a state of exception, which is still in effect, suspending many of the country’s due process rights and commencing a wave of mass arrests.
—Danielle MacKey, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arrest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arrest
Verb
-
These results suggest that media-savvy Democrats who seize this moment to call out Trump and the MAGA agenda could put themselves in a strong position to become the next leader of the Democratic Party.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
-
No law in this country permits the president to seize federal funds and to just keep them until an institution complies with his personal will.—
Destinee Adams,
NPR,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The confrontation stopped and restarted as the man appeared to try to get the knife away from Perez over the fence.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
-
When the American money stopped flowing, the local soup kitchen closed and Ms. Musa went out searching for food.—
Declan Walsh,
New York Times,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Noah Carrigan has always been fascinated by trucks.—
Terry Baddoo,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
-
My own experience with autoimmune encephalitis—a disease that distorted my reality, sending me into psychosis and delusions—had left me fascinated by the potentials and limits of our minds.—
Susannah Cahalan,
Vogue,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Forbes is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Cuts to smoking prevention and cessation programs, for example, don’t square with the aim of decreasing rates of chronic disease.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Any deal that eases sanctions or normalizes Russia's global standing should come with an end to weapons transfers to Iran and Syria and a cessation of military cooperation that enhances Iran's nuclear and missile programs.—
Jason D. Greenblatt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Secret Service apprehended another suspect, weeks later, Ryan Routh, who was armed on a golf course where Trump was playing.—
Jenny Goldsberry,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Apr. 2025
-
Police apprehended 38-year-old Cody Balmer in connection with the incident, and search warrants alleged that the suspect admitted to the crimes.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
In Afghanistan, where over 23 million people rely on aid, the cuts will end food support for millions, halt care for malnourished children, and disrupt maternal health services.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Besides Boise, the airline’s operations in some other locations, including in Montana and Utah, will be halted to divert resources to its new base in Phoenix, the Press Democrat reported.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Instead, the show will enchant audiences on West 57th Street in the old Lee’s Art Shop building.—
Sharareh Drury,
People.com,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Vara, like many of her readers, is both enchanted by the web and disgusted with the companies that control it.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The police, several older unhoused people explained to me, were making their lives increasingly difficult by staging regular raids.—
Sarah Stillman,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Critics say such raids sow fear in vulnerable communities.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Arrest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arrest. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share