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
Relevance
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
Noun
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With the end of the month fast approaching, the migrant exodus has continued as fear of further mob attacks spreads through poor neighborhoods and informal settlements.
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Agents from Hawthorne to Manhattan Beach, Venice and Santa Monica report early inquiries on $5-million-plus properties, raising fears of speculative price spikes and even tighter inventory.
Noun
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Great productions of Sondheim musicals, and this is one of those, always fill you with a certain existential dread.
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Dong recalled that dread ran deep because his tiny boat might capsize if the winds and waves picked up.
Noun
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To use available resources to block line of sight from the American Glass Research International complex to Trump, despite identifying this line of sight as a concern.
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Over in the geopolitical front, fresh escalating tensions draw concern as Russia launched a massive missile and drone attack on Ukraine, prompting Poland to scramble jets while Finland restricted airspace.
Noun
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If that conversation also seems too anxiety-provoking, focus on modes of communication that do feel accessible to you.
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The resulting anxiety and panic are an unfortunate side effect of a banner year for fireworks shows.
Noun
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Those worries make sense, and understanding how bird flu spreads and what to watch for is the best way to protect your flock and yourself.
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Elevation invites visitors to carve wishes, worries, and hopes into the church pews.
Noun
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Yet DePaul University professor Martha Gardner offers an alternative perspective, one where the experiences of immigrants can offer society comfort, cohesion and a sense of hope in their nation during times of apprehension.
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Also, some consumers show a significant level of apprehension and distrust about the science behind the product on chat platforms like Reddit.
Noun
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Over several years, Williams and the team explored how avatars modeled on West African masks were able to avoid the uncanny valley, that unease people feel when something almost-human turns out not to be.
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Frowning, fidgeting, and exchanging furtive glances—the crowd’s unease was palpable.
Noun
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Adding to the uncertainty, Congress allowed Affordable Care Act subsidies to expire last year, which caused insurance premiums to spike for millions more people.
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This work of checking in on team members or translating ambiguity, especially during periods of uncertainty, has been dubbed the empathy or care tax.
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Cite this Entry
“Apprehensiveness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apprehensiveness. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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