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
  • Fallout from the data sale Then there are fears this case may set precedent or have long-term consequences for workers.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Hours of silence and speculation in the aftermath added to a sense of fear in Saudi Arabia and across the region.
    — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of fear
Noun
  • Part of our collective mounting dread is that this technology is far outstripping the ability, access, and time required to study its effects on human beings.
    — Laura Reiley, Vanity Fair, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Instead of fond memories of her father, Wynne was filled with dread.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of dread
Noun
  • Bird has concerns, particularly around the build-up of power around technological advancements, which push the film into surprising and exciting dystopian directions.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
  • By that point, family members of those on board had raised concerns about dwindling food supplies and low morale.
    — Mosheh Gains, NBC news, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of concern
Noun
  • The Social Reckoning stars Mikey Madison and Jeremy Allen White each had their own unique anxieties about following up 2010’s beloved The Social Network.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The unrest followed days of clashes in Liège, where more than 200 people were arrested, while demonstrators in Brussels described growing anxiety over the cost of daily life.
    — Mark Carlson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of anxiety
Noun
  • Plush carpeting, touches of turquoise in a largely eggshell-forward palette, tasteful landscape paintings that border on abstract, and spacious private balconies make up the subtle suite design, allaying any worries of dowdy beach resort decor.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Those moves have helped the stock market climb a wall of worry in the intervening years, including in 2026.
    — Sarah Min, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of worry
Noun
  • Royce Moser, 18, is facing charges including murder, while his mother, 56-year-old Rachel Moser, is facing charges including hindering apprehension of a fugitive, according to court records.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Reuters reports that police accelerated their apprehension of the suspects after one visited another museum, sparking concerns that a second theft was nigh.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of apprehension
Noun
  • That slight sense of unease, coupled with Faith’s crystalline country voice and boundary-pushing songwriting, is at the core of her record Cherry Valley (and the recent deluxe version, Cherry Valley Forever).
    — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Asked whether the ongoing appeals create any unease, Rosario waved it off.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of unease
Noun
  • Luxury’s financial uncertainty and fashion’s changing cultural reach are part of the picture, but so is audience fatigue.
    — Alex Badia, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Her final season began with uncertainty over whether labor negotiations would disrupt the league’s schedule.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 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 14 Oct. 2026.

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