1
as in dread
suspicion or fear of future harm or misfortune
the hikers entered the dark cave with a great deal of apprehension
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in arrest
the act of taking into one's control by authority of law
apprehension of the burglar set the neighborhood at ease
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in fear
an uneasy state of mind usually over the possibility of an anticipated misfortune or trouble
felt a great deal of apprehension about the trip and about arriving safely
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in understanding
the knowledge gained from the process of coming to know or understand something
a good apprehension of how computer systems work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of apprehension
That apprehension kept him from making big, sweeping changes.
—
Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
But Jean has this profound apprehension that something else may have been at play.
—Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025
Consciousness, human life, utterly in the grip of its own dreamlife, all our thinking and voicing caught in a web of surreal distortion, generated by our irrational yearning and apprehensions, our appetite for myth, our solipsism.
—Jane Ciabattari
september 25, Literary Hub, 25 Sep. 2025
More than 100 people wanted for violent crimes were arrested in a sweeping multi-agency initiative dubbed Operation Guardian, described by Indianapolis' police chief as the city's largest-ever fugitive apprehension effort.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apprehension
Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
But Jean has this profound apprehension that something else may have been at play.
—Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025
Consciousness, human life, utterly in the grip of its own dreamlife, all our thinking and voicing caught in a web of surreal distortion, generated by our irrational yearning and apprehensions, our appetite for myth, our solipsism.
—Jane Ciabattari
september 25, Literary Hub, 25 Sep. 2025
More than 100 people wanted for violent crimes were arrested in a sweeping multi-agency initiative dubbed Operation Guardian, described by Indianapolis' police chief as the city's largest-ever fugitive apprehension effort.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apprehension
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apprehension
Noun
-
The move, which had been expected for weeks, is nonetheless being greeted with dread inside the news division.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Oct. 2025
-
But few Dracula adaptations can summon the depth of feeling and atmospheric dread of Tod Browning's 1931 adaptation.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
McLaughlin further alleged that Trebach blocked agents of Customs and Border Protection from carrying out their duties, and that led to her arrest.—
Oren Peleg,
New Yorker,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The real-life Watkins spoke with the Minneapolis Tribune following Gein's arrest, saying the two dated for 20 years and that Gein had even proposed to her.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The fear was that Jayden Daniels would be limited, that the brace on his left knee — or the knee itself — would hinder his running or his elusiveness, eliminate his quick cuts or somehow slow him down.—
Nicki Jhabvala,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Colangelo added that, in these depictions, the fear of transness is more present than the fear of being killed.—
Mathew Rodriguez,
Them.,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Obviously, Quillan isn’t staying, but my understanding from talking to sources is Treliving continues to consider his options in terms of bringing in another forward.—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The memo, first reported by Axios, says that Congress must specifically appropriate funds for back pay, contradicting previous understandings of the law.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Shanen Wright, 48, a lifelong Charleston resident who lives near CAMC Memorial, said many in the city have little worry about flooding in the face of more immediate problems, like the opioid epidemic and the decline of manufacturing and mining.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
5 Oct. 2025
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Rising worries During the Milken Institute Asia Summit, other experts warned that retail inflows could distort pricing, erode returns and destabilize fund structures designed for long-term investments or patient capital.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The Phillies entered the ninth trailing 4-1 and quickly reminded the Dodgers why their bullpen concerns are so loud.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
On the heels of Karen’s sentencing, the women gather at Gizelle’s house to commiserate, and spend the whole scene dancing between concern, empathy, and absurdity.—
Shamira Ibrahim,
Vulture,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
As parents know, this can translate to a boundless appreciation of toys.—
Emily Glover,
Parents,
2 Oct. 2025
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And, while their approaches are very different, one thing that Nuno and Postecoglou have in common is an appreciation of a player with versatile qualities.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Other benefits of acupuncture were pain intensity reduction, an improvement of physical functions, and fewer anxiety symptoms.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
4 Oct. 2025
-
The stress among the friend group about their costume theme is giving me more anxiety than a haunted hayride.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Apprehension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apprehension. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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