Arrest — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ə-ˈrest/ ar·rest

Meaning & Definition of Arrest

Arrest (verb)

  1. seize, capture; specifically, to take or keep in custody by authority of law
  2. to bring to a stop
  3. check, slow

Arrest (noun)

  1. the taking or detaining in custody by authority of law
  2. the act of stopping
  3. the condition of being stopped or inactive

Arrest (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

    similar: apprehend, bust (slang), collar, nab, nail, nick (British slang), pick up, pinch, pull in, restrain, run in, seize
    related: bag, capture, catch, get, grab, grapple, hook, land, snap (up), snare, snatch, trap, commit, confine, detain, hold, immure, imprison, incarcerate, intern, jail, jug, lock (up), bind, enchain, fetter, handcuff, manacle, shackle, trammel, rearrest, remand
    opposite: discharge
    near: emancipate, free, liberate, loose, loosen, release, spring, unbind, unchain

  2. to bring (something) to a standstill

    "cryogenics is based on the idea that extreme cold can almost arrest molecular motion"

    similar: bring up, catch, check, draw up, fetch up, halt, hold up, pull up, stall, stay, still, stop
    related: baffle, balk, block, blockade, bottleneck, clog, dam, detain, hinder, hold, hold back, impede, obstruct, snag, stem, conclude, cut off, end, terminate, call, discontinue, suspend, choke off, rein (in), repress, squash, squelch, stanch, stunt, suppress, turn back
    near: carry on, continue, follow through (with), keep (on), keep up, persist, run on, advance, fare, go along, march, move, proceed, progress, wend, actuate, budge, drive, goad, impel, propel, push, spur, stir

  3. 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"

    similar: bedazzle, catch up, enchant, enthrall, fascinate, grip, hypnotize, mesmerize, spellbind
    related: enrapture, entrance, thrill, beguile, bewitch, charm, absorb, engage, engross, involve

Arrest (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

    similar: apprehension, arrestment, bust (slang), collar, pinch
    related: raid, house arrest, capture, entrapment, seizure, captivity, confinement, detention, enchainment, hold, immurement, imprisonment, incarceration, restraint, rearrest, remand
    opposite: discharge
    near: emancipation, liberation, release

  2. the stopping of a process or activity

    "hemostasis is the technical term for arrest of bleeding"

    similar: arrestment, cease, cessation, check, close, closedown, closure, conclusion, cutoff, discontinuance, discontinuation, end, ending, expiration, finish, halt, lapse, offset, shutdown, shutoff, stay, stop, stoppage, surcease, termination
    related: mop-up, phaseout, abeyance, break, interruption, layoff, letup, moratorium, pause, standstill, suspension
    opposite: continuance, continuation
    near: extension, persistence, prolongation

Related Entry: House arrest (noun)

House arrest is a different word from Arrest. The synonyms below are for house arrest, not for arrest.

  1. as in detention, custody

    similar: custody, detainer, detainment, detention, arrest, capture, entrapment, restraint, restriction, bondage, enslavement, servitude, captivity, confinement, immurement, impoundment, imprisonment, incarceration, internment, prison
    opposite: emancipation, liberation, manumission, redemption, release, freedom, independence, liberty

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Arrest

The most common words with a similar meaning to Arrest:

Slang: bust
British slang: nick
apprehend, collar, nab, nail, pick up, pinch, pull in, restrain, run in, seize, bring up, catch, check, draw up, fetch up, halt, hold up, pull up, stall, stay, still, stop, bedazzle, catch up, enchant, enthrall, fascinate, grip, hypnotize, mesmerize, spellbind, apprehension, arrestment, cease, cessation, close, closedown, closure, conclusion, cutoff

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Arrest

Words with the opposite meaning of Arrest:

discharge, continuance, continuation

Related Words for Arrest

bag, capture, get, grab, grapple, hook, land, snap (up), snare, snatch, trap, commit, confine, detain, hold, immure, imprison, incarcerate, intern, jail, jug, lock (up), bind, enchain, fetter, handcuff, manacle, shackle, trammel, rearrest

Near Antonyms of Arrest

emancipate, free, liberate, loose, loosen, release, spring, unbind, unchain, carry on, continue, follow through (with), keep (on), keep up, persist, run on, advance, fare, go along, march, move, proceed, progress, wend, actuate, budge, drive, goad, impel, propel

Word Forms of Arrest

Inflections: arrested, arresting, arrests

Derived words: arrester (noun), arrestment (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Arrest

Middle English aresten, arresten "to stop, halt (something or someone), come to a halt, wait, restrain, seize (a lawbreaker), take into custody," borrowed from Anglo-French arester (also continental Old French), going back to Vulgar Latin *arrestāre, from Latin ad- ad- (in Vulgar Latin marking or reinforcing transitivity) + restāre "to remain, be left unchanged" rest:4

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Arrest

Words & Phrases Containing Arrest

cardiac arrest, citizen's arrest, false arrest, house arrest, under arrest, respiratory arrest, evade capture/arrest

Frequently Asked Questions about Arrest

What does "Arrest" mean?

"Arrest" means seize, capture; specifically, to take or keep in custody by authority of law. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: seize, capture; specifically, to take or keep in custody by authority of law. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Arrest"?

Other words for "Arrest" include apprehend, bust, collar, nab, nail, nick, pick up and pinch. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Arrest" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Arrest"?

There are 147 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Arrest". Common alternatives include apprehend, bust, collar, nab, nail, nick, pick up, pinch, pull in and restrain.

What is the opposite of "Arrest"?

Antonyms of "Arrest" include discharge, continuance and continuation. Near antonyms include emancipate, free, liberate and loose.

How do you use "Arrest" in a sentence?

Examples of "Arrest" in a sentence: "the inept robber was promptly arrested by the off-duty policeman he had tried to hold up"; "cryogenics is based on the idea that extreme cold can almost arrest molecular motion"; "the sight of the daredevil walking a tightrope between high-rises arrested area pedestrians and motorists alike".

Is "Arrest" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Arrest" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Arrest" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Arrest" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.

How do you pronounce "Arrest"?

"Arrest" is pronounced /ə-ˈrest/ and divided into syllables as ar·rest.