1
as in dread
suspicion or fear of future harm or misfortune
the hikers entered the dark cave with a great deal of apprehension
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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
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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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of apprehension
Nevertheless, any move by Germany toward the acquisition of nuclear weapons would be imaginable only in close consultation and concert with other European states, first and foremost Poland, where a nuclear-armed Germany would cause the most apprehension.
—
Florence Gaub, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
There’s a moment in the final pages of the Voyage when Darwin implies that his apprehension of the magnitude of time comes to him through a kind of via negativa, that Desert Fathers practice of seeking God by stripping away all that is comprehensible and then watching to see what remains.
—Lewis Hyde, Harpers Magazine, 18 June 2025
Despite resident apprehension and pushback over the years, Lenexa continues to march westward with its development.
—Taylor O’Connor, Kansas City Star, 17 June 2025
The discount indicates investor apprehension regarding BP’s evolving strategy, declining earnings, and structural obstacles.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for apprehension
Florence Gaub, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
There’s a moment in the final pages of the Voyage when Darwin implies that his apprehension of the magnitude of time comes to him through a kind of via negativa, that Desert Fathers practice of seeking God by stripping away all that is comprehensible and then watching to see what remains.
—Lewis Hyde, Harpers Magazine, 18 June 2025
Despite resident apprehension and pushback over the years, Lenexa continues to march westward with its development.
—Taylor O’Connor, Kansas City Star, 17 June 2025
The discount indicates investor apprehension regarding BP’s evolving strategy, declining earnings, and structural obstacles.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for apprehension
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apprehension
Noun
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But there is a clinging dread and mystery in these stories that will stay with you.—
Drew Broussard
July 8,
Literary Hub,
8 July 2025
-
For Lawler, the incident drove home the growing problem of space junk—and left her with a sense of dread that’s never quite gone away.—
Dan Falk,
Smithsonian Magazine,
3 July 2025
Noun
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His arrest has drawn scrutiny on press freedom in the United States.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
12 July 2025
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Following his arrest, Burhoe was immediately suspended without pay.—
Todd Karpovich,
Baltimore Sun,
12 July 2025
Noun
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Rather than basing trades on company fundamentals or earnings outlooks, many investors appear to be reacting to market trends and peer activity — a pattern commonly associated with FOMO, or fear of missing out.—
Spriha Srivastava,
CNBC,
10 July 2025
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These attempts challenge long-standing norms of academic freedom—that is, the ability of a teacher or researcher in higher education to investigate and discuss subjects without fear of political interference.—
Matt Motta,
Scientific American,
10 July 2025
Noun
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So are basic physics, the general understanding of human limitations, logic.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
20 July 2025
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Rawlinson, who said her experiences as a woman of color have informed her understanding of the issue, agreed.—
Alyce Brown,
Chicago Tribune,
19 July 2025
Noun
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Their visits to the ophthalmologist are now every six months, but Maggie admits the worry never quite fades.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
7 July 2025
-
Meanwhile, there was hand-wringing in the NASCAR garage over headlines about high crime and worries about whether the Cup Series cars would be able to have a good show on such a narrow course.—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
6 July 2025
Noun
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Yet Israeli authorities show little concern about the targeting systems.—
Dexter Filkins,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
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Privacy and security concerns with smart thermostats These programs also raise important data privacy concerns.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
14 July 2025
Noun
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First, exhibit appreciation for and an interest in others’ abilities, skills, knowledge and perspectives.—
Susan Madsen,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
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And there’s this deep appreciation for culture and the way these countries developed, especially as an outsider looking at the United States.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
This can cause unnecessary anxiety and concern for the dog.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
-
This is the current situation: Certainly, a trend of appreciating precious metals is at work, but there is also the theme of ‘strategic and critical metals’ anxiety pushing platinum.—
Clem Chambers,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Apprehension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apprehension. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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