ARREST Synonyms: 190 Similar and Opposite Words

arrest 1 of 2

verb

ə-ˈrest

Definition of arrest

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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arrest

2 of 2

noun

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

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

Verb

The Tate brothers, former kickboxers with dual US and British citizenship, were arrested in Miami in late July after Britain requested their extradition. — Reuters, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026 Deputies on Thursday arrested a Lodi man after a vehicle pursuit that ended in Roseville after the fleeing sport utility vehicle went over several medians in a parking lot. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Noun

Perez has a military hold, according to his arrest affidavit. — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026 The investigation continued over months, and a warrant was issued in July of 2025 for his arrest. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for arrest

Recent Examples of Synonyms for arrest

Verb

The Texas high school football season is underway, and several Fort Worth-area teams seized statement wins.

— Charles Baggarly August 29, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026
But while the Jets’ defense piled up takeaways, the rookie quarterback failed to seize the spotlight during the 23-6 loss to the Giants.

— Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of seize

Verb

The new rules mandated that referees stop play for a ten-minute hydration break that allows players to drink fluids, change clothes, or shower in their locker room.

— Aaron Short, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026
The team stopped at 800 N because increasing the load further would require additional protective equipment, with a separate destructive limit test planned.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of stop

Verb

In a California town called Anzar in the late-19th century, Paulette is living with a local magnate’s eccentric son who’s fascinated by the tramps gathering outside his manor.

— Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
Here are four more scammers who fascinated people on the internet – plus one who people thought was a scammer but turned out not to be.

— Owen Carry, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of fascinate

Noun

Last month, burglars stole millions of dollars worth of jewelry from the museum of French luxury glassmaker Lalique in a daring early morning raid.

— CBS News, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
According to witnesses of the raid, local police and Canyon County sheriff’s deputies assisted ICE agents by zip-tying children and detaining people without asking about their immigration status.

— Rachel Spacek, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of raid

Noun

Those commitments should be included in a framework agreement, signed by all sides, which outlines the core elements of an eventual peace and enables a cessation of hostilities.

— Matt Waldman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2026
Texas law defines brain death as the irreversible cessation of brain function.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of cessation

Verb

According to local news reports, police in Pattaya over the weekend apprehended at least 25 individuals suspected of soliciting for prostitution, an offense punishable by fines.

— Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026
After it was immobilized, the driver attempted to leave the vehicle and was apprehended by officers, according to NEA Report.

— Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of apprehend

Verb

Tribes whose historic homelands fall within the forest became leading voices in the effort to halt logging, with the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians’ Priscilla Hunter emerging as a major force.

— Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
But since February, its progress has halted, said Leo Rossignac-Milon, the co-founder of Track My Visa, a third-party service that monitors applications for 25,000 users.

— Ignacio Calderon, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of halt

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arrears

arrest

arrested

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Arrest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arrest. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of arrest

verb

noun

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