to arrest

Examples

• All

• There were paintings on the wall, and one in particular arrested Myrmeen's attention:

  Fiction book (1992)

• If there were such a thing as fashion police, this dress would be arrested for disturbing the peace.

  Fiction book (1994)

• It really is a work of art and you almost have to just stand and be really arrested by its beauty.

• Something in his manner as he listened to Pandora's playing arrested my attention.

  Pandora and the Flying Dutchman (1951)

• This kind of slippage occurs through a disruption where our attention is arrested momentarily and we move into a new world.

• The book's most arresting image shows the goddess striding forward, ever in motion, always in search.

  Academic text (2007)

• 'It was a woman's voice, and it was such an anguished, heart-wrenching sound 'that I was totally arrested by its sadness.'

  Another Woman (1988)

• Frank's searching gaze around the room is arrested for a moment as though reacting to Rachel's voice.

  Fiction book (1992)

• The stunning sunset was so beautiful that it arrested my attention for several minutes.

• Her speech was so powerful that it arrested the entire audience during the presentation.

Synonyms

G

to get

vsto arrest

• Informal

∞ 4.1

To attract someone's attention or interest

is mainly about attracting and holding attention without the annoying sense

C

to catch

vsto arrest

244 2.0

To get someone's attention or interest

is more neutral, focusing on attracting and holding attention overall

H

to hold

vsto arrest

201 2.2

To keep someone's attention

is the general act of attracting and holding attention not necessarily long

S

to seize

vsto arrest

68 3.8

Grab and hold someone's attention suddenly and strongly

is steadier, meaning attract and hold attention without sudden force

C

to capture

vsto arrest

37 3.0

To attract and hold someone's interest or affection

is specifically about attracting and holding attention rather than affection

R

to rivet

vsto arrest

33 6.1

To hold someone's full attention because something is very interesting or surprising

is less intense, meaning attract and hold attention without extreme fixation

C

to capture attention

vsto arrest

1 3.2

To attract and keep people's interest

is the broader idea of attracting and holding attention

K

to keep captive

vsto arrest

6.7

Hold someone's full attention so they cannot think of anything else

is general attraction rather than total mental absorption

Antonyms

B

to bore

15 1.4

To make someone feel tired or not interested by being dull when you speak

Compounds

H

house arrest

• Formal

49 4.0

A legal order to stay at home instead of going to prison

C

cardiac arrest

• Specialized

48 3.7

A sudden stop of the heart that stops blood flow and can cause death if not treated

A

arrest warrant

• Formal

42 3.8

A paper from a judge that lets police take a person to a station and bring them to court

R

resisting arrest

• Formal

25 7.0

To use physical force against the police when they try to arrest you

C

cardiopulmonary arrest

• Specialized

1 5.4

When the heart and lungs suddenly stop working, breathing and heartbeat stop

How Captivating

to captivate

19 4.2

to arrest

30 5.1

to engage

117 3.5

to attract

991 1.9

to catch

244 2.0

Surface Forms

Etymology