arrest
verb (used with object)
to seize (a person) by legal authority or warrant; take into custody.
was arresting
-
past progressiveof arrest.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A critical duty was arresting 27% inflation, which Zhu accomplished by putting himself in control of the financial sector and firing hapless officials including the country’s central-bank chief.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026
However, Moses maintains that Butler did not say he was arresting him at the time.
From BBC ● May 30, 2026
When Rep. Troy Carter, of Louisiana, directly asked Lyons if his agency was arresting or deporting Americans, Lyons denied that it was “arresting” Americans, before quickly adding that it did “detain” Americans.
From Slate ● Feb. 11, 2026
The Border Patrol said it arrested roughly 9,000 illegal immigrants per day over the weekend, or more than twice the average it was arresting just weeks ago.
From Washington Times ● May 10, 2023
And though military boot camp had been the model, it was arresting this time around to see how much it really was like prison.
From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover
