apprehensiveness

noun

1
as in fear
an uneasy state of mind usually over the possibility of an anticipated misfortune or trouble her apprehensiveness about starting college is keeping her awake at night

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dread
suspicion or fear of future harm or misfortune my apprehensiveness about raw fish disagreeing with me is keeping me from even trying sushi

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for apprehensiveness
  1. fear
  2. dread
  3. concern
  4. anxiety
  5. worry
  6. apprehension
  7. unease
  8. uncertainty
Noun
  • Experts say cartels use car bombs to intimidate rivals and authorities, pressure the government and spread fear among civilians.
    — María Verza, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026
  • At each turn, a heartbreaking picture comes into sharper focus, underscoring Ricki’s destructive appetite that exploits Rita’s deepest needs and fears under the guise of friendship and no-judgement sisterhood.
    — Tomris Laffly, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of fear
Noun
  • The mood would be a mix of confidence, desperation and nagging dread.
    — Austin Meek, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Instead, Sega and Creative Assembly have bet on pure atmosphere, dread that runs deeper thanks to more detailed graphics and audio, and of course, letting everyone know the Xenomorph's dynamic AI has evolved too.
    — Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of dread
Noun
  • My personal concern is especially based on the fact that their huge need for additional electricity generation could very well ruin our ability to reduce carbon emissions and avoid a climate crisis.
    — Martin Kushler, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2026
  • A lot of our compliance metrics are driven around the concern for health and safety.
    — Tim Graham, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of concern
Noun
  • Off-camera, though, Hansen’s self-loathing and anxiety are off the charts.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Since the assault, the woman has experienced post-traumatic stress disorder, severe anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of anxiety
Noun
  • Oil prices edged higher Thursday as worries over escalating tensions in the Middle East and their impact on energy supplies kept Brent crude above $100 a barrel.
    — Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026
  • That worsened inflation worries and cranked up pressure in the bond market, helping send stocks lower again on Wall Street.
    — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of worry
Noun
  • Rachel Moser, 56, also was charged with hindering the apprehension of a fugitive and criminal use of a communication device.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Garnett previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit arson, tampering with evidence, hindering apprehension and abuse of a corpse.
    — Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of apprehension
Noun
  • Her government was also the first led by a party with neo-fascist roots, and European allies and financial markets viewed her with unease.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The rise in bond yields is a global phenomenon, rooted in investors’ unease over unchecked government spending and intensified by bets that central banks may keep interest rates higher for longer.
    — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of unease
Noun
  • Now, however, the escalating trade disputes between the two nations are not only challenging this close partnership, but also creating growing uncertainty for American farmers and agricultural equipment manufacturers.
    — , CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Together, the flurry of legal filings has thrust the state, its voters and election officials into a period of uncertainty ahead of the November election.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of uncertainty
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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apprehensively
apprehensiveness
apprentice
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Cite this Entry

“Apprehensiveness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apprehensiveness. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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