Apprehend and Detain

Apprehend

Apprehend verb - To take or keep under one's control by authority of law.
Usage example: the agency charged with apprehending criminals who have violated federal law

Detain is a synonym for apprehend in catch topic. In some cases you can use "Detain" instead a verb "Apprehend", when it comes to topics like take prisoner. popular alternative

Detain

Detain verb - Cause to be slowed down or delayed.

Apprehend is a synonym for detain in hold topic. You can use "Apprehend" instead a verb "Detain", if it concerns topics such as action, catch, capture. popular alternative

Nearby Words: detention, detainer, detaining

Common collocations

people apprehend people detain people
men apprehend men detain men
killer apprehend killer detain killer
terrorist apprehend terrorist detain terrorist
Other words: everyone, criminals, terrorists, prisoners.
Cite this Source
Detain and Apprehend. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/apprehend/detain
Apprehend & Detain. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/apprehend/detain>.
Detain or Apprehend. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/apprehend/detain.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "apprehend" and "detain" have occurred on timeline