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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
  • Lawrence has widened his aim to the entire AI industry, calling for a pause on AI development in the wake of fears from some at the companies that the technology could eliminate humanity.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Feldstein’s arrest was kept under a sweeping gag order, for fear that disclosing it would compromise Israeli intelligence, but the Haaretz reporter Bar Peleg soon learned of it.
    — Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of fear
Noun
  • The look back shows the familiar societal cycle around powerful technology, spanning excitement, anxiety, and dread.
    — J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The spikes suffuse the air with a hard to describe but palpable dread.
    — Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of dread
Noun
  • The privacy problem The bigger concern surrounding this tech, however, is privacy.
    — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The new political leadership will also face pressure to address everyday concerns, including jobs, wages and the cost of living.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of concern
Noun
  • Plus, the recent detention of several Haitian pastors by immigration authorities is fueling even more anxiety among congregants.
    — Lauren Costantino September 19, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Given the characters’ extreme situation, black humor also feels natural—a way of protecting themselves from anxiety and fear.
    — Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of anxiety
Noun
  • Yields have been on the rise because of worries about inflation, big debt loads for governments worldwide and other factors.
    — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
  • This is meant to address worries that frequent fast charging might shorten battery life.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of worry
Noun
  • That apprehension was reflected in the mood of voters in Moscow on a cold, crisp September day a week before the elections.
    — Zahra Ullah, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Licata in particular prepared for apprehension from the moment TEA Commissioner Mike Morath appointed him as the district’s leader.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of apprehension
Noun
  • This is another thing that’s clearly added to the unease within the industry.
    — Tyler Foggatt, New Yorker, 17 Sep. 2026
  • But not everyone reads the appointment as reassuring, as the leadership reshuffle has come amid growing unease over the central bank's autonomy.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of unease
Noun
  • Let someone encounter the version that still contains a little uncertainty.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Economic uncertainty and other factors have kept borrowing costs elevated for much of the year, according to real estate experts.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 19 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.

Browse Nearby Words

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 26 Sep. 2026.

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