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
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
In footage released by Thames Valley Police, Mugambe appeared shocked when an officer said he was arresting her under the Modern Slavery Act.
From BBC ● Mar. 13, 2025
A state trooper was arresting a man at about 11:15 p.m.
From Washington Times ● Mar. 27, 2023
His face was arresting, sensitive, medieval in some strange inexplicable way, and I was reminded of a portrait seen in a gallery I had forgotten where, of a certain Gentleman Unknown.
From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier
