arrêter

The French verb "arrêter" means "to stop" or "to halt." It is used both in literal and figurative contexts.

Meanings:

1. To stop or cease an action or movement

   • Example: Il a arrêté de courir. (He stopped running.)

2. To arrest or detain someone (by the police)

   • Example: La police a arrêté le voleur. (The police arrested the thief.)

3. To decide or conclude

   • Example: Ils ont arrêté la date du mariage. (They set the wedding date.)

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Synonyms and their differences:

• cesser: Means "to cease" or "to stop," often interchangeable with "arrêter" in stopping actions, but less used for arrest or decision.

  • Il a cessé de parler. (He stopped talking.)

• stopper: Borrowed from English "to stop," more informal and often used in speech or sports contexts.

  • Stoppe le ballon! (Stop the ball!)

• interrompre: Means "to interrupt" or "to stop temporarily," usually for actions or events.

  • Ils ont interrompu la réunion. (They interrupted/stopped the meeting.)

• capturer / appréhender: More formal or specific terms related to arrest (to capture or apprehend).

  • La police a appréhendé le suspect. (The police apprehended the suspect.)

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Summary:

• Use arrêter to say "to stop" something completely, to "arrest" someone, or to "decide" something.
• Use cesser or interrompre for stopping in a less abrupt or temporary sense.
• Use stopper in informal speech.
• Use arrêter for both physical stopping and legal arrest, where synonyms have more specific functions.