arrest

The act of police taking someone into custody because they suspect that person of breaking the law.

• The police made an arrest.
• She was placed under arrest.
• Several arrests followed the protest.

How to use it: under arrest for something (He is under arrest for theft.)

Similar words: detention, apprehension

Opposites: release

Common phrases: under arrest, make an arrest, arrest warrant

A condition in which an activity or body function, especially the heartbeat, stops.

• He suffered a cardiac arrest.
• The team treated a patient in respiratory arrest.
• The disease caused an arrest of growth.

Similar words: stoppage

Common phrases: cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, growth arrest

A person whom a police officer has taken into custody.

• That suspect was my arrest.
• The officer brought her arrest to the station.
• His first arrest refused to answer questions.

Similar words: detainee

Common phrases: my arrest, your arrest, first arrest

If police do this, they take someone into custody because they suspect a crime.

• Police may arrest the driver.
• She was arrested outside the bank.
• Did they arrest anyone for the robbery?

How to use it: arrest someone for something (They arrested him for stealing a car.)

Similar words: apprehend, detain

Opposites: release

Common phrases: arrest someone, arrest for theft

Stop something from moving, developing, or continuing.

• The treatment arrested the disease.
• New funding could arrest the decline.
• Poor nutrition can arrest a child’s growth.

Similar words: stop, halt, check

Common phrases: arrest development, arrest the decline, arrest disease

If a heart does this, it stops beating.

• His heart arrested during surgery.
• A patient can arrest without warning.
• The medical team acted quickly when her heart arrested.

Similar words: stop

Common phrases: heart may arrest, heart can arrest