arrest
verb (used with object)
to seize (a person) by legal authority or warrant; take into custody.
were 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.
And volunteers are doing more of the talking, asking for badge numbers, asking for the warrant, asking on what authority they were arresting him.
From Slate ● Jun. 18, 2025
At the time, authorities were arresting dozens of activists after a rare outbreak of anti-government protests — though most, like Abdel-Fattah, were not involved.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 8, 2022
“They were arresting doctors, oh yes,” Chukwujindu said.
From Washington Post ● Jun. 24, 2022
Such tactics infuriated police officers, who said they felt like they were arresting the same people multiple times because of Gascón’s reluctance to open new cases.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2020
Haughtily she disengaged herself, but, he remained facing her, standing between her and the hotel, and his words were arresting.
From Pink Gods and Blue Demons by Cynthia Stockley
