Arrestment — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ə-ˈrest/ ar·rest

Meaning & Definition of Arrestment

Arrestment (verb)

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

Arrestment (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the act of taking or holding under one's control by authority of law

    "the arrestment of the bank president for embezzlement was accomplished as quietly as possible"

    similar: apprehension, arrest, 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

    "the arrestment of all brain activity in the patient"

    similar: arrest, 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: Arrest (verb)

Arrest is a different word from Arrestment. The synonyms below are for arrest, not for arrestment.

  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

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Arrestment

The most common words with a similar meaning to Arrestment:

Slang: bust
apprehension, arrest, collar, pinch, cease, cessation, check, close, closedown, closure, conclusion, cutoff, discontinuance, discontinuation, end, ending, expiration, finish, halt, lapse, offset, shutdown, shutoff, stay, stop, stoppage, surcease, termination

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Arrestment

Words with the opposite meaning of Arrestment:

discharge, continuance, continuation

Related Words for Arrestment

raid, house arrest, capture, entrapment, seizure, captivity, confinement, detention, enchainment, hold, immurement, imprisonment, incarceration, restraint, rearrest, remand, mop-up, phaseout, abeyance, break, interruption, layoff, letup, moratorium, pause, standstill, suspension

Near Antonyms of Arrestment

emancipation, liberation, release, extension, persistence, prolongation

Word Forms of Arrestment

Inflections: arrested, arresting, arrests

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

Origin & Etymology of Arrestment

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

Frequently Asked Questions about Arrestment

What does "Arrestment" mean?

"Arrestment" 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 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Arrestment"?

Other words for "Arrestment" include apprehension, arrest, bust, collar, pinch, cease, cessation and check. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Arrestment" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Arrestment"?

There are 56 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Arrestment". Common alternatives include apprehension, arrest, bust, collar, pinch, cease, cessation, check, close and closedown.

What is the opposite of "Arrestment"?

Antonyms of "Arrestment" include discharge, continuance and continuation. Near antonyms include emancipation, liberation, release and extension.

How do you use "Arrestment" in a sentence?

Examples of "Arrestment" in a sentence: "the arrestment of the bank president for embezzlement was accomplished as quietly as possible"; "the arrestment of all brain activity in the patient".

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

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

How do you pronounce "Arrestment"?

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

What is the origin of the word "Arrestment"?

"Arrestment" comes from 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.