Apprehend vs. Reprehend — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 24, 2024
Apprehend involves understanding or capturing, especially in a law enforcement context, whereas reprehend means to reprimand or criticize.
Difference Between Apprehend and Reprehend
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Apprehend is often used in the context of law enforcement, where it signifies the arrest or capture of an individual, whereas reprehend is used in social or formal contexts to express disapproval or criticism.
To apprehend can also mean to grasp a concept mentally, indicating comprehension, whereas reprehend involves expressing disapproval, often verbally, towards someone's actions or behaviors.
In the legal framework, apprehending a suspect is a physical action taken by authorities, which has direct and tangible consequences, whereas reprehending someone, such as in a disciplinary hearing, involves verbal admonishment which aims to correct behavior.
Apprehend may involve a sense of fear or anticipation, as one might apprehend danger or an impending problem, emphasizing a psychological response, whereas reprehend strictly deals with the act of censure or correction, often after the fact.
While both apprehend and reprehend involve responses to behaviors or situations, apprehend focuses more on the response to physical or intellectual stimuli, and reprehend focuses on moral or ethical judgement against actions deemed inappropriate.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
To arrest or take into custody; to understand or perceive.
To scold, reprimand, or express disapproval.
Part of Speech
Verb
Verb
Usage Context
Law enforcement, psychology, general comprehension.
Ethics, discipline, social interactions.
Examples in Sentences
"The police apprehended the thief hiding in the alley."
"The teacher reprehended the student for cheating."
Related Terms
Capture, arrest, comprehend.
Scold, criticize, rebuke.
Compare with Definitions
Apprehend
To become aware of through the senses.
He apprehended the danger when he saw the smoke.
Reprehend
To express sharp disapproval or criticism.
The committee reprehended the lack of transparency in the process.
Apprehend
To anticipate, especially with fear or reluctance.
She apprehended facing her opponent in the final match.
Reprehend
To scold or reprimand formally.
The manager reprehended the employees for repeated tardiness.
Apprehend
To arrest or take someone into custody.
Officers apprehended the suspect near the scene.
Reprehend
To admonish or rebuke strongly.
She was reprehended for her actions during the meeting.
Apprehend
To understand something clearly through the mind.
She apprehended the complex theory after the detailed lecture.
Reprehend
To express disapproval in a formal or serious manner.
The official reprehended the new policy in his speech.
Apprehend
To mentally grasp a concept or situation.
The student apprehended the importance of the study's findings.
Reprehend
To find fault with someone; criticize.
He was reprehended for his careless attitude towards safety.
Apprehend
To take into custody; arrest
Apprehended the murderer.
Reprehend
To reprove; censure.
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).
Reprehend
To criticize, to reprove
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).
Reprehend
To reprove or reprimand with a view of restraining, checking, or preventing; to make charge of fault against; to disapprove of; to chide; to blame; to censure.
Aristippus being reprehended of luxury by one that was not rich, for that he gave six crowns for a small fish.
Pardon me for reprehending thee.
In which satire human vices, ignorance, and errors . . . are severely reprehended.
I nor advise nor reprehend the choice.
Apprehend
(Archaic) To anticipate with worry or dread.
Reprehend
Express strong disapproval of
Apprehend
To understand something.
Apprehend
(transitive)
Apprehend
To be or become aware of (something); to perceive.
Apprehend
To acknowledge the existence of (something); to recognize.
Apprehend
To take hold of (something) with understanding; to conceive (something) in the mind; to become cognizant of; to understand.
Apprehend
To have a conception of (something); to consider, to regard.
Apprehend
To anticipate (something, usually unpleasant); especially, to anticipate (something) with anxiety, dread, or fear; to dread, to fear.
Apprehend
To seize or take (something); to take hold of.
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
What does it mean to apprehend someone?
To apprehend someone typically means to arrest or detain them, usually by law enforcement.
How does apprehension relate to fear?
Apprehension can describe a feeling of fear or anxiety about future events.
What situations call for reprehending someone?
Reprehending is appropriate when correcting or expressing disapproval of someone’s misconduct or ethical lapse.
What is the difference between reprehend and reprimand?
Reprehend and reprimand are similar, both relating to scolding, but reprehend often implies a formal or public aspect.
How does the formal use of reprehend manifest in professional settings?
In professional settings, reprehend might be used during performance reviews or disciplinary meetings to formally address misconduct.
Can apprehend have a non-physical meaning?
Yes, apprehend can also mean to understand or grasp an idea or concept mentally.
What are synonyms for reprehend?
Synonyms for reprehend include rebuke, reprimand, and censure.
Can a teacher apprehend a student?
While a teacher might apprehend in the sense of understanding a student’s situation, they typically do not apprehend students in the law enforcement sense of the word.
Does apprehend involve immediate understanding?
Apprehending a concept can be immediate or require prolonged thought, depending on the complexity of the information.
Why is reprehend less commonly used today?
Reprehend is somewhat archaic and formal, making it less common in everyday language compared to more straightforward terms like criticize or scold.
Is reprehend used in legal contexts?
Reprehend is not typically used in legal contexts; it is more relevant in ethical or social criticism.
What is an example of apprehending a concept?
An example could be a student apprehending the principles of calculus after a semester’s coursework.
Can apprehend be used in medical contexts?
In medical contexts, apprehend might refer to understanding or anticipating health-related issues.
Is it common to use apprehend in everyday conversation?
Apprehend is more common in formal or specific contexts like law enforcement, rather than everyday conversation.
Can animals be apprehended?
In contexts like wildlife management, animals might be apprehended as part of relocation or conservation efforts.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Often vs. Sometimes
Next Comparison
Grievance vs. AggrievanceAuthor Spotlight
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.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
