Entry Word: apprehension

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 suspicion or fear of future harm or misfortune <Erica entered the dark cave with a great deal of apprehension>

Synonyms alarm, apprehensiveness, dread, foreboding, misgiving

Related Words agitation, anxiousness, concern, disquiet, distress, disturbance, fearfulness, perturbation, solicitude, uneasiness; scruple, worry; doubt, incertitude, suspense, uncertainty, wariness; defeatism, pessimism; foreknowledge, premonition, presage, presentiment

Near Antonyms anticipation, excitement, hope, hopefulness; confidence, optimism, sanguinity

2 the act of taking or holding under oneʼs control by authority of law <the robber's apprehension set us all at ease> — see arrest
3 the emotion experienced in the presence or threat of danger <still had a lingering apprehension of snakes after being bitten by one> — see fear
4 an uneasy state of mind usually over the possibility of an anticipated misfortune or trouble <suddenly had the weirdest apprehension about the childrenʼs safety> — see anxiety 1
5 the knowledge gained from the process of coming to know or understand something <a good apprehension of how computer systems work> — see comprehension