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
Noun
-
That puts the fear of God into him.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Feb. 2026 -
The Showtime Lakers faced those fears and overcame them.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Mirror images except for the fact that Jelani has his hair in dreads, while Ari goes with the more retro-look afro.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Shoppers who fluctuate between sizes, dread sitting in rigid denim, have arthritis, and are in the early stages of pregnancy also give the jeans a thumbs-up for their flexible fit, breathable fabric, and easy pull-on design.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Our biggest concern should always be the goal.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Cost-of-living concerns are driving voter preferences, with affordability emerging as a defining issue that could shape the election.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Tobacco parallels The Los Angeles trial centers on allegations made by a 20-year-old woman, Kaley, and her mother that four social media giants intentionally designed addictive platforms that hooked her as a child and led to mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
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The lurch from confidence to anxiety has been a key reason Villa have not held their nerve in some supposedly easier fixtures.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
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While many retirees focus on market crashes or poor investment returns as their biggest worry, financial experts warn that the slow, steady rise in the cost of living may actually pose a greater danger — one that can stretch across decades and leave retirees struggling to keep up.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
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Hufnagel addressed those worries, saying that 2026 is focused on optimizing the footprint through sharper assortments and marketing to support full-price sell-through and sustainable long-term growth.—
Stephen Garner,
Footwear News,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Rodriguez acknowledged that the council is having difficult conversations around fiscal circumstances, noting there’s apprehension about reducing business tax revenue for the city.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Travel agencies said that in the last year or so, there has been apprehension about traveling to Mexico.—
Chris Hoffman,
CBS News,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
How investors should respond to the moment depends on their savings and investment goals — but there are strategies to protect your portfolio during the heightened unease.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
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But more broadly, the AI scare trade visited upon Nvidia on Thursday underscores a growing unease around the future of AI.—
Allie Canal,
NBC news,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Chinese renewables manufacturers currently face huge uncertainty — and often hostility — while doing business in Europe.—
Xiaoying You,
semafor.com,
24 Feb. 2026
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Higher interest rates, lower housing turnover and economic uncertainty have challenged the company, as homeowners delay the pricier projects typically spurred by buying or selling a home.—
Melissa Repko,
CNBC,
24 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Apprehensiveness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apprehensiveness. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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