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
Relevance
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
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.
Recent Examples of apprehension
Sitting in the back are Peyman (Soheil Bavi) and Bahar (Neda Jebreili), a young couple seeking to leave the country illegally because his political activism has put him at risk of apprehension.
—
Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 30 Dec. 2025
Or at least detained as apprehensions, dreams, or maybe even glimpses now and then.
—David Searcy, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Buyers’ apprehensions over such scenarios are presumably among the factors that are negatively impacting sales.
—Michael L. Hyman, Miami Herald, 29 Dec. 2025
Talent collides with chance, bravery with apprehension, expectation with delusion — meanings that settle only later, when the adrenaline has faded.
—Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American Statesman, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apprehension
Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 30 Dec. 2025
Or at least detained as apprehensions, dreams, or maybe even glimpses now and then.
—David Searcy, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Buyers’ apprehensions over such scenarios are presumably among the factors that are negatively impacting sales.
—Michael L. Hyman, Miami Herald, 29 Dec. 2025
Talent collides with chance, bravery with apprehension, expectation with delusion — meanings that settle only later, when the adrenaline has faded.
—Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American Statesman, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apprehension
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apprehension
Noun
-
There’s a sense of foreboding and dread.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Of course, the dread is always worse.—
Nell Frizzell,
Vogue,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Kiefer Sutherland accused of assaulting top fashion designer Two years after his DUI arrest, Sutherland was dealt misdemeanor charges over an alleged altercation involving Proenza Schouler designer Jack McCollough.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Diaspora celebrates political turning point The poll mirrors public celebrations among the diaspora in South Florida following Maduro's arrest.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The construction plans have generally raised fears that the London complex could serve as a Beijing intelligence hub.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Several Venezuela residents told TIME that the fear of what might be discovered on their phone at a checkpoint has guided their behavior in the days since Maduro's ouster.—
Brian Bennett,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Spirit, energy and enthusiasm When there were loud external calls for upgrades at safety in August, head coach Dave Canales firmly backed Scott because of his leadership and understanding of the defense.—
Mike Kaye
January 8,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Tensor said the system emphasizes contextual understanding rather than simple object detection, allowing the AI to adapt to complex and unpredictable real-world driving conditions.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Meanwhile, a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has created worries about the Fed's independence, and whether it might be politically influenced.—
Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
16 Jan. 2026
-
First Amendment, press advocacy groups concerned by search The search warrant is raising First Amendment worries from press freedom advocates.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Grimsson pointed out that concerns about Russia or China's growing influence in the Arctic were overblown.—
Anniek Bao,Dan Murphy,
CNBC,
15 Jan. 2026
-
With the protests in Iran growing by the day, the conversations in our chats changed to signs of hope even amid grave concerns about our family's safety.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In a statement, Young expressed appreciation for the restaurant’s place in the city.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
9 Jan. 2026
-
As a result, your return depends entirely on price appreciation.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Somehow, this new sensation emitted an awareness of the magnitude in which skateboarding would warp my life, which only ratcheted up the anxiety of blowing it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The news this week that an ICE agent had shot and killed a woman in Minnesota heightened his anxiety.—
Andrea Castillo,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Apprehension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apprehension. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
