Apprehend vs. Comprehend — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 2, 2024
Apprehend refers to seizing or understanding with fear or difficulty, while comprehend means to fully understand or grasp mentally.
Difference Between Apprehend and Comprehend
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Apprehend primarily deals with the action of arresting or capturing, as well as the mental action of perceiving or understanding something, often with an underlying sense of difficulty or anxiety. For example, police apprehend suspects, but one may also apprehend the gist of a complex argument with effort or unease. On the other hand, comprehend is solely focused on the mental grasp of concepts, ideas, or situations, emphasizing a complete understanding without necessarily implying difficulty or fear. It's about mentally embracing and fully understanding the breadth and depth of a subject.
While apprehend might carry a nuance of initial difficulty or reluctance in understanding, suggesting a process of coming to grips with an idea, comprehend suggests a clearer, more thorough understanding. For instance, you might apprehend the basic idea behind a scientific theory, meaning you have a basic understanding of it, possibly with some effort or uncertainty. Conversely, if you comprehend the theory, you fully grasp its principles and implications without confusion.
In educational contexts, these differences are significant. Teachers aim for their students not merely to apprehend new concepts—where there might still be uncertainty or misconceptions—but to comprehend them fully, ensuring a deep and accurate understanding. This distinction underscores the depth of mental engagement and mastery expected in various learning scenarios.
The emotional connotation between the two also differs. Apprehend can imply a sense of apprehension or anxiety about the concept or situation being faced, reflecting perhaps a more emotional engagement with the material or the context in which it is encountered. Comprehend, devoid of such emotional weight, presents a more neutral or even positive engagement with knowledge, indicative of intellectual achievement and understanding.
Despite these differences, both apprehend and comprehend underscore the importance of mental engagement with the world. Whether it’s the tentative, sometimes uneasy journey towards understanding or the satisfaction of fully grasping a concept, both terms highlight different facets of the cognitive process and our interaction with knowledge and experiences.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To arrest or capture; to understand something with effort or difficulty.
To fully understand or grasp the meaning of something.
Focus
Can imply a physical action or a mental effort with a sense of unease.
Solely focused on mental understanding without implied difficulty.
Emotional Connotation
May carry an undertone of fear or anxiety in understanding.
Implies a clear, thorough understanding without emotional distress.
Use in Education
Often refers to an initial grasp or understanding, possibly with misconceptions.
Indicates a complete and accurate understanding of concepts.
Example
Police apprehend suspects; one may apprehend the basics of an argument.
One comprehends the laws of physics or the nuances of a language.
Compare with Definitions
Apprehend
To arrest or seize.
The fugitive was apprehended at the border.
Comprehend
Understanding deeply.
He comprehends the significance of cultural diversity.
Apprehend
Grasping with difficulty.
He apprehended the poem’s meaning after several readings.
Comprehend
Grasping the full meaning.
They comprehended the author’s message after much discussion.
Apprehend
Recognizing with apprehension.
The student apprehended the complexity of the subject.
Comprehend
Encompassing a concept completely.
The course helps students comprehend the basics of coding.
Apprehend
Perceiving with a sense of unease.
They apprehended the risks involved in the venture.
Comprehend
To fully grasp mentally.
She comprehends advanced mathematics easily.
Apprehend
To understand with effort.
She could only apprehend the basics of quantum mechanics.
Comprehend
Achieving clear understanding.
Through study, she came to comprehend the intricacies of the law.
Apprehend
To take into custody; arrest
Apprehended the murderer.
Comprehend
Grasp mentally; understand
I simply couldn't comprehend what had happened
He couldn't comprehend her reasons for marrying Lovat
Apprehend
To grasp mentally; understand
"Science is the systematic method by which we apprehend what is true about the real world in which we live" (Richard Dawkins).
Comprehend
Include, comprise, or encompass
A divine order comprehending all men
Apprehend
To become conscious of, as through the emotions or senses; perceive
"She began to look with her own eyes.
To see and to apprehend the deeper undercurrents of life" (Kate Chopin).
Comprehend
To take in the meaning, nature, or importance of; grasp.
Apprehend
(Archaic) To anticipate with worry or dread.
Comprehend
To have as part of something larger; encompass or include.
Apprehend
To understand something.
Comprehend
To include, comprise; to contain.
Apprehend
(transitive)
Comprehend
To understand or grasp fully and thoroughly.
Apprehend
To be or become aware of (something); to perceive.
Comprehend
To contain; to embrace; to include; as, the states comprehended in the Austrian Empire.
Who hath . . . comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure.
Apprehend
To acknowledge the existence of (something); to recognize.
Comprehend
To take in or include by construction or implication; to comprise; to imply.
Comprehended all in this one word, Discretion.
And if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying.
Apprehend
To take hold of (something) with understanding; to conceive (something) in the mind; to become cognizant of; to understand.
Comprehend
To take into the mind; to grasp with the understanding; to apprehend the meaning of; to understand.
At a loss to comprehend the question.
Great things doeth he, which we can not comprehend.
Apprehend
To have a conception of (something); to consider, to regard.
Comprehend
Get the meaning of something;
Do you comprehend the meaning of this letter?
Apprehend
To anticipate (something, usually unpleasant); especially, to anticipate (something) with anxiety, dread, or fear; to dread, to fear.
Comprehend
To become aware of through the senses;
I could perceive the ship coming over the horizon
Apprehend
To seize or take (something); to take hold of.
Comprehend
Include in scope; include as part of something broader; have as one's sphere or territory;
This group encompasses a wide range of people from different backgrounds
This should cover everyone in the group
Apprehend
(law enforcement) To seize or take (a person) by legal process; to arrest.
Officers apprehended the suspect two streets away from the bank.
Apprehend
(obsolete)
Apprehend
(intransitive)
Apprehend
To be of opinion, believe, or think; to suppose.
Apprehend
To understand.
Apprehend
To be apprehensive; to fear.
Apprehend
To take or seize; to take hold of.
We have two hands to apprehend it.
Apprehend
Hence: To take or seize (a person) by legal process; to arrest; as, to apprehend a criminal.
Apprehend
To take hold of with the understanding, that is, to conceive in the mind; to become cognizant of; to understand; to recognize; to consider.
This suspicion of Earl Reimund, though at first but a buzz, soon got a sting in the king's head, and he violently apprehended it.
The eternal laws, such as the heroic age apprehended them.
Apprehend
To know or learn with certainty.
G. You are too much distrustful of my truth.E. Then you must give me leave to apprehendThe means and manner how.
Apprehend
To anticipate; esp., to anticipate with anxiety, dread, or fear; to fear.
The opposition had more reason than the king to apprehend violence.
Apprehend
To think, believe, or be of opinion; to understand; to suppose.
Apprehend
To be apprehensive; to fear.
It is worse to apprehend than to suffer.
Apprehend
Get the meaning of something;
Do you comprehend the meaning of this letter?
Apprehend
Take into custody;
The police nabbed the suspected criminals
Apprehend
Anticipate with dread or anxiety
Common Curiosities
Can one apprehend something without comprehending it?
Yes, one can apprehend (grasp with some understanding) something without fully comprehending (fully understanding) it.
How do apprehend and comprehend relate to learning?
Learning involves moving from apprehension (initial understanding) to comprehension (full understanding) of concepts.
Does apprehend always imply physical arrest?
No, apprehend can also mean to grasp or understand something mentally, not just physical capture.
Can emotions affect one's ability to comprehend?
Yes, emotions can influence cognitive processes, potentially making comprehension more difficult or easier, depending on the context and individual.
Can apprehend have a positive connotation?
While it often implies difficulty or anxiety, apprehend can be positive in the sense of overcoming initial challenges to understanding.
Is it possible to comprehend something immediately?
Yes, immediate comprehension is possible, especially with familiar concepts or for individuals with high aptitude in a specific area.
Are there fields where apprehend is more commonly used than comprehend?
In law enforcement and legal contexts, apprehend is more commonly used to refer to capture or arrest. In philosophical or complex theoretical discussions, apprehend might be used to indicate grasping difficult concepts.
How does context influence the use of apprehend vs. comprehend?
The choice between the two can depend on the context—apprehend might be used in more challenging or nuanced situations, while comprehend may denote a more straightforward understanding.
Is comprehending always better than apprehending?
In terms of depth and clarity of understanding, comprehending is more comprehensive than apprehending, which might involve partial understanding or effort.
Do apprehend and comprehend have synonyms?
Yes, apprehend's synonyms include grasp, recognize, or perceive with difficulty, while comprehend's include understand fully, grasp completely, or fully appreciate.
How do educators assess whether a student has apprehended or comprehended a concept?
Through testing, questioning, and observing application of knowledge, educators can assess the depth of a student's understanding.
Does the digital age affect our ability to apprehend or comprehend?
The vast amount of information available can both help and hinder our ability to comprehend fully, as the speed of information flow might lead to superficial apprehension rather than deep comprehension.
Is comprehension a skill that can be improved?
Absolutely, comprehension can be enhanced through various techniques, such as active reading, critical thinking exercises, and exposure to diverse subjects.
How do apprehend and comprehend contribute to effective communication?
Understanding the distinction helps in accurately describing the depth of one’s or another's understanding, thereby facilitating clearer communication about knowledge and learning processes.
Can apprehension lead to comprehension?
Yes, apprehension can be a step towards deeper understanding, as one becomes more familiar with the material and overcomes initial difficulties.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
