Arrest meaning, definition, synonyms

Arrest has several related meanings. The most common everyday meaning is to take someone into police custody. It can also mean to stop or hold something back, and as a noun it can refer to an arrest or to a state of stoppage.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-28. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Pronunciation

AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).

Accent: General American English

IPA: /ə-REST/

Easy pronunciation: uh-REST (approximate spelling).

Stress: Stress the second syllable: rest.

Verb meaning to take someone into custody, usually by the police.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-28. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Arrest Meaning

to officially detain someone

Part of speech: verb

Definition: to take someone into custody, usually by the police

Example: Police arrested the suspect last night.

Synonyms for this meaning:

apprehend — A formal verb meaning to arrest someone.
collar — Informal; can mean to arrest someone, but is less neutral than arrest.
cop — Informal slang for arrest, especially in American English.
nab — Informal; means to arrest or catch someone.
nail — Informal; can mean to arrest, but often sounds slangy.
pick up — Informal; can mean to arrest or take into custody.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-28. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Other Meanings of Arrest

Meaning 2

an arrest; the act of taking someone into custody

Part of speech: noun

Definition: the act of apprehending someone, especially a criminal

Example: The arrest happened just after midnight.

Synonyms for this meaning:

apprehension — Formal noun meaning the act of arresting someone.
pinch — Informal slang for an arrest.
taking into custody — A descriptive phrase for the act of arresting.

Meaning 3

to make something stop

Part of speech: verb

Definition: to cause something to stop

Example: The medication can arrest the spread of the infection.

Synonyms for this meaning:

halt — Works when arrest means to stop something.
hold — Can fit in some contexts, but is less precise than halt.

Meaning 4

to stop something from spreading or getting worse

Part of speech: verb

Definition: to hold back or limit the growth, spread, or influence of something

Example: Officials tried to arrest the spread of the virus.

Synonyms for this meaning:

check — Works when arrest means to restrain or limit.
contain — A strong substitute when something is kept from spreading.
hold back — Good fit for limiting or restraining something.
stop — Broadly related, but less specific than arrest in this sense.
turn back — Can work when arrest means to repel or prevent advance.

Meaning 5

a pause or stop after something has been interrupted

Part of speech: noun

Definition: the state of inactivity following an interruption

Example: The negotiations were in arrest.

Synonyms for this meaning:

check — Can mean a pause or restraint in this noun sense.
halt — A clear noun equivalent for a stoppage or pause.
hitch — Can suggest a temporary stoppage or interruption.
stay — An older or more technical noun sense meaning a pause or suspension.
stop — A general noun for a stoppage.
stoppage — Direct noun equivalent for a stopping or interruption.

Meaning 6

to catch and hold attention

Part of speech: verb

Definition: to attract and hold someone's attention

Example: The bright display arrested her attention.

Synonyms for this meaning:

catch — Works naturally for attracting and fixing attention.
get — Can work in expressions like 'get someone's attention,' but is not a direct synonym in all cases.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-28. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Arrest Synonyms

Similar Meaning

apprehend
collar
cop
nab
nail
pick up

the act of apprehending someone

apprehension
pinch
taking into custody

to cause something to stop

halt
hold

to hold back or limit the spread or influence of something

check
contain
hold back
stop
turn back

the state of inactivity following an interruption

check
halt
hitch
stay
stop
stoppage

to attract and hold attention

catch
get

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-28. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Common Mistakes

Do not confuse arrest the verb meaning 'take into custody' with arrest meaning 'stop' or 'hold back'.
Do not use arrest synonyms like catch or get for the police meaning unless the context clearly shows slang or a different sense.
Arrest can be a noun or a verb, and the synonyms change with the sense.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-28. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common meaning of arrest?

The most common meaning is to take someone into police custody.

Is arrest always about the police?

No. It can also mean to stop something, limit its spread, or attract and hold attention.

What is a simple synonym for arrest?

For the police meaning, a simple synonym is apprehend. For the other senses, the best synonym depends on the context.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-28. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.