apprehensiveness

apprehensiveness

noun

Definition of APPREHENSIVENESS

1

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 agita, agitation, anxiousness, apprehension, apprehensiveness, care, concern, concernment, disquiet, disquietude, fear, nervosity, nervousness, perturbation, solicitude, sweat, unease, uneasiness, worry

Related Words strain, stress, tension; alarm (also alarum), anguish, consternation, desperateness, desperation, discomfort, discomposure, dismay, distraction, distress, disturbance, edginess, franticness, hand-wringing, jitters, jumpiness, panic, tremor; angst, fearfulness, torment, upset, vexation; cold feet, doubt, dread, foreboding, incertitude, misgiving, presentiment, suspense, uncertainty; compunction, qualm, scruple

Near Antonyms calm, calmness, content, contentment, ease, easiness, peace, peacefulness, placidity, placidness, quiet, quietude, sereneness, serenity, tranquillity (or tranquility), tranquilness; comfort, consolation, relief, solace

Antonyms unconcern

2

suspicion or fear of future harm or misfortune <my apprehensiveness about raw fish disagreeing with me is keeping me from even trying sushi>

Synonyms alarm (also alarum), apprehensiveness, dread, foreboding, misgiving

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

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