Arrested Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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arrested

[əˈrɛstɪd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

law enforcement

Seize (someone) by legal authority and take them into custody.

Synonyms

apprehend, capture, detain, nab, take into custody.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
arrested

Used in formal situations to indicate someone has been taken into custody by the police due to suspicion of committing a crime.

  • The suspect was arrested for vandalism
  • She was arrested for breaking and entering
apprehend

Commonly used in law enforcement contexts to indicate capturing someone after pursuit.

  • Police worked quickly to apprehend the fugitive
  • The thief was finally apprehended after a long chase
detain

Implies holding someone back temporarily, usually for questioning or investigation, without necessarily implying formal arrest.

  • The police detained the suspect for further questioning
  • He was detained at the airport
nab

Informal and often used in colloquial speech to indicate quickly or unexpectedly catching someone or something.

  • The store owner nabbed the shoplifter
  • They managed to nab the last tickets for the concert
take into custody

A formal expression indicating someone is being held by authorities, usually related to an investigation or charge.

  • The authorities took the suspect into custody after gathering enough evidence
  • She was taken into custody based on witness testimony

Examples of usage

  • He was arrested for shoplifting.
  • The police arrested the suspect at his home.
  • She was arrested on suspicion of fraud.
Context #2 | Verb

stopping progress

Cause to stop or bring to a halt.

Synonyms

block, check, halt, interrupt, stop.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
arrested

Used in a legal or law enforcement context when someone is taken into police custody.

  • The police arrested the suspect after a thorough investigation.
  • She was arrested for trespassing on private property.
halt

Used to describe stopping movement or progress, often suddenly or forcefully.

  • The train came to a halt at the station.
  • The company decided to halt production due to safety concerns.
stop

Generic term for ceasing movement or activity.

  • Please stop talking during the movie.
  • The car stopped at the red light.
check

Used to describe temporarily halting or inspecting something to ensure it is correct or safe.

  • The teacher checked the students' homework.
  • The doctor checked the patient's vital signs.
interrupt

Used to describe an action that temporarily stops something, often disrupting its flow.

  • She interrupted the meeting to deliver an urgent message.
  • The broadcast was interrupted by breaking news.
block

Used to describe physically or metaphorically preventing movement or progress.

  • A fallen tree blocked the road, causing a traffic jam.
  • The firewall blocks unauthorized access to the network.

Examples of usage

  • The sudden rain arrested the game.
  • Her beauty arrested his attention.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Law

  • An arrest can either be made with a warrant, which is permission from a judge, or without a warrant if the police see a crime happening.
  • In many places, a person has the right to remain silent during an arrest, which means they don’t have to talk to the police.

Pop Culture

  • Many films and TV shows feature dramatic arrest scenes, often portraying police as heroes or villains.
  • The phrase 'You're under arrest' has become iconic in various media and is frequently parodied in comedies.

Psychology

  • Being arrested can cause a range of emotions including fear, anxiety, or even relief if someone feels it's a necessary step for change.
  • Studies show that the psychological impact of being incarcerated can extend beyond the arrest itself, affecting mental health long after.

Sociology

  • Arrest patterns can reflect societal issues, as certain communities may experience disproportionate rates of arrests based on various factors.
  • Social movements often raise awareness about wrongful arrests, advocating for change in the justice system.

Origin of 'arrested'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'arrestare,' meaning to 'stop' or 'seize.'
  • It was first used in the English language around the late 14th century, primarily in legal contexts.

The word 'arrested' comes from the Latin word 'arrestare', which means 'to stay, stop, or restrain'. It was originally used in the context of legal authority seizing someone, but over time, it has also come to mean causing something to stop or bring to a halt.


See also: arrest, arresting.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,877, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.