apprehension
noun
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Definition of apprehension
1 : suspicion or fear especially of future evil : foreboding an atmosphere of nervous apprehension
2 : seizure by legal process : arrest apprehension of a criminal
3a : the act or power of perceiving or comprehending something a person of dull apprehension
b : the result of apprehending something mentally : conception according to popular apprehension
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Synonyms & Antonyms for apprehension
Synonyms
agitation, anxiety, anxiousness, apprehensiveness, care, concern, concernment, disquiet, disquietude, fear, nervousness, solicitude, sweat, unease, uneasiness, worry
Antonyms
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Examples of apprehension in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Until 2011, Central Americans represented less than 10% of all border apprehensions, while that number in 2014 was closer to 50%. — Rory Taylor, Teen Vogue, "The Current Border Crisis Feels All Too Familiar for Indigenous Peoples in the United States," 12 July 2018 But across the seafood industry, there is apprehension that the pain will soon trickle down, cutting into sales and dropping prices. — Scott Dance, baltimoresun.com, "After July Fourth crab feasts, an uncertain season for Maryland seafood industry," 6 July 2018 The Trans-Border Institute estimates that apprehensions at the Southwest border are on track to total about 380,000 by the end of the CBP's fiscal year in September. — NBC News, "Number of migrants trying to cross border down 18% in June," 6 July 2018 Both companies told investors that fewer beds have gone unused as border apprehensions rise. — Zusha Elinson, WSJ, "Trump’s Immigrant-Detention Plans Benefit Private Prison Operators," 2 July 2018 Border apprehensions in the first few months of 2017 were at almost unthinkably low levels. — Dara Lind, Vox, "“Catch and release,” explained: the heart of Trump’s new border agenda," 9 Apr. 2018 Local police officers often coordinate with Border Patrol agents in the apprehension of undocumented immigrants near the border. — Elaine Ayala, San Antonio Express-News, "A border crisis that doesn’t exist, and deterrence that won’t work," 18 June 2018 The Tucson Police Department, San Antonio Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service were able to assist in Cardenas' apprehension, Smith said. — Nathan J. Fish, azcentral, "Police: Suspect in Glendale shootings arrested after fleeing to Texas," 13 July 2018 The K-9s and their handlers worked together for 13 weeks training in criminal apprehension and narcotic detection. — Kayla Fitzgerald, sacbee, "Seven new CHP K-9 officers are top dogs at graduation ceremony," 28 June 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'apprehension.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for apprehension
apprehension
noun
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Kids Definition of apprehension
1 : arrest entry 2
2 : fear of or uncertainty about what may be coming They approached the old house with apprehension.
3 : an understanding of something apprehension of the poem's message
apprehension
noun
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Legal Definition of apprehension
: arrest
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Comments on apprehension
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