trepidation
noun
trep·i·da·tion
ˌtre-pə-ˈdā-shən 
1
: a nervous or fearful feeling of uncertain agitation : apprehension
trepidation about starting a new job
Did you know?
Trepidation Has Latin Roots
If you've ever trembled with fright, you know something of both the sensation and etymology of trepidation. The word comes from the Latin verb trepidare, which means "to tremble." Early meanings of trepidation, such as "tremulous motion" or "tremor," reflect that origin; those are followed by the word's sense of "apprehension."
Examples of trepidation in a Sentence
In the first minutes, hours, or even days of fieldwork most researchers feel trepidation about being an outsider, a stranger on the scene …
—
Marie D. Price, Geographical Review, January-April 2001
This was an ambitious project, and a number of us felt some trepidation about the possible results.
—Brian Phillips, New Republic, 13 Dec. 1999
I came aboard the 319 with trepidation, to join the lives of utter strangers, a man untried by the circumstances they had known.
—Henry G. Bugbee, Jr., "Naval History,"
in Authors at Sea, Robert Shenk, ed., 1997
He had some trepidation about agreeing to their proposal.
shaking with trepidation, I stepped into the old abandoned house
Marie D. Price, Geographical Review, January-April 2001
This was an ambitious project, and a number of us felt some trepidation about the possible results.
—Brian Phillips, New Republic, 13 Dec. 1999
I came aboard the 319 with trepidation, to join the lives of utter strangers, a man untried by the circumstances they had known.
—Henry G. Bugbee, Jr., "Naval History,"
in Authors at Sea, Robert Shenk, ed., 1997
He had some trepidation about agreeing to their proposal.
shaking with trepidation, I stepped into the old abandoned house
Recent Examples on the Web
Investors for now at least can take some comfort that the White House is on their side, even if the mood during the strong rally held a dose of trepidation.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 12 May 2025
Two very young music students approached him with obvious trepidation about meeting one of their idols.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 May 2025
And there’s already trepidation among some Republicans that the House is in jeopardy.
—Amie Parnes, The Hill, 10 May 2025
In my conversations with Head Start providers, advocates, and program specialists across seven states in the last few weeks, the mood has been a mix of anger, sadness, hope, and trepidation.
—Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for trepidation
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Jeff Cox, CNBC, 12 May 2025
Two very young music students approached him with obvious trepidation about meeting one of their idols.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 May 2025
And there’s already trepidation among some Republicans that the House is in jeopardy.
—Amie Parnes, The Hill, 10 May 2025
In my conversations with Head Start providers, advocates, and program specialists across seven states in the last few weeks, the mood has been a mix of anger, sadness, hope, and trepidation.
—Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for trepidation
Cite this Entry
“Trepidation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trepidation. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
trepidation
noun
trep·i·da·tion
ˌtrep-ə-ˈdā-shən
: a state of alarm or nervousness
approached the abandoned house with trepidation
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