Apprehended: meaning, definitions and examples

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apprehended

 

[ ˌæprɪˈhɛndɪd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

crime

To be apprehended means to be arrested by the police for a crime.

Synonyms

arrested, captured, seized.

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Word Description / Examples
apprehended

Used when someone is caught by law enforcement, typically indicating that they have been taken into custody for suspected illegal activity.

  • The thief was apprehended by the police after a long chase.
  • She was apprehended at the airport while trying to flee the country.
arrested

Specifically refers to the moment law enforcement officially takes someone into custody for a crime. Often includes the reading of rights and is a formal action.

  • He was arrested for burglary and taken to the local police station.
  • She got arrested for driving under the influence last night.
captured

Used when someone is caught or taken into control, often through physical means. Can be used for both people and objects, and doesn't necessarily involve law enforcement.

  • The fugitive was captured after escaping from prison.
  • The rare bird was captured and tagged by scientists for research.
seized

Generally used to indicate taking hold of something forcefully or suddenly. This can apply to physical objects, property, or even control of a situation. It often involves authority or power.

  • The authorities seized a large shipment of illegal drugs.
  • Her assets were seized by the government due to tax evasion.

Examples of usage

  • The suspect was apprehended by the authorities.
  • The criminal was apprehended after a high-speed chase.
  • He knew he would be apprehended if he didn't turn himself in.
Context #2 | Verb

fear

To be apprehended can also mean to be fearful or anxious about something that might happen.

Synonyms

anxious, nervous, worried.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
apprehended

This term is usually used in legal or criminal situations when someone is captured or arrested by the authorities.

  • The suspect was apprehended by the police last night.
  • After a long chase, the thief was finally apprehended.
worried

This term is used to describe a state of anxiety or concern about a real or potential problem or danger. It can be used in a wide range of personal and professional contexts.

  • He's worried about his health.
  • She was worried that they might not arrive on time.
nervous

This term is used to describe a state of being slightly afraid or worried about something that is about to happen or something with an immediate consequence. It's common in both formal and informal contexts.

  • I'm always nervous before giving a presentation.
  • She gets nervous when flying.
anxious

This term is often used to describe a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome. It's generally used in everyday situations.

  • She felt anxious about the upcoming exam.
  • He's anxious to hear back from the job interview.

Examples of usage

  • She apprehended the dangers of the situation and acted cautiously.
  • He was apprehensive about the upcoming exam.
  • The uncertainty of the future left him apprehended.

Translations

Translations of the word "apprehended" in other languages:

🇵🇹 apreendido

🇮🇳 गिरफ्तार किया गया

🇩🇪 festgenommen

🇮🇩 ditangkap

🇺🇦 затриманий

🇵🇱 aresztowany

🇯🇵 逮捕された

🇫🇷 appréhendé

🇪🇸 aprehendido

🇹🇷 yakalanmış

🇰🇷 체포된

🇸🇦 مقبوض عليه

🇨🇿 zatčený

🇸🇰 zatknutý

🇨🇳 逮捕

🇸🇮 aretiran

🇮🇸 handtekinn

🇰🇿 қамауға алынған

🇬🇪 დაკავებული

🇦🇿 tutulmuş

🇲🇽 aprehendido

Etymology

The word 'apprehend' comes from the Latin word 'apprehendere', which means 'to seize' or 'to grasp'. Over time, its meaning has evolved to include both the idea of being arrested for a crime and the feeling of being anxious or fearful. The word has been used in legal contexts for centuries to refer to the capture or arrest of suspects. In everyday language, it is often used to convey a sense of fear or concern about potential dangers or uncertainties.

See also: apprehend, apprehending, apprehension, apprehensive, misapprehend.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,083, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.