Synonyms of apprehension

apprehension

noun

ˌa-pri-ˈhen(t)-shən 

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

• dread
• worry
• anxiety
• uncertainty
• concern
• fearfulness
• unease
• apprehensiveness
• alarm
• misgiving
• uneasiness
• foreboding
• suspense
• doubt
• agitation
• perturbation
• distress
• mistrust
• disquiet
• disquietude
• wariness
• anxiousness
• solicitude
• disturbance
• funk
• pessimism
• scruple
• suspiciousness
• defeatism
• premonition
• presentiment
• incertitude
• foreknowledge
• presage

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• excitement
• anticipation
• hope
• confidence
• hopefulness
• optimism
• sanguinity

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

• arrest
• arrestment
• raid
• collar
• pinch
• imprisonment
• seizure
• bust
• capture
• detention
• confinement
• restraint
• entrapment
• incarceration
• house arrest
• captivity
• remand
• rearrest
• enchainment
• immurement
• hold

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discharge
• release
• liberation
• emancipation

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

• fear
• concern
• anxiety
• worry
• unease
• concernment
• uneasiness
• nervousness
• fearfulness
• uncertainty
• disquietude
• agitation
• apprehensiveness
• disquiet
• perturbation
• solicitude
• anxiousness
• tension
• discomfort
• dread
• panic
• desperation
• doubt
• sweat
• care
• anguish
• stress
• nervosity
• agita
• dismay
• distress
• consternation
• disturbance
• tremor
• desperateness
• jitters
• alarm
• suspense
• angst
• strain
• discomposure
• misgiving
• vexation
• upset
• torment
• jumpiness
• presentiment
• distraction
• edginess
• compunction
• qualm
• franticness
• foreboding
• hand-wringing
• incertitude
• scruple
• cold feet

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unconcern
• ease
• peace
• contentment
• content
• calmness
• calm
• serenity
• easiness
• tranquility
• quietude
• relief
• peacefulness
• quiet
• placidity
• comfort
• consolation
• solace
• placidness
• sereneness
• tranquilness

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

• understanding
• appreciation
• perception
• grasp
• comprehension
• awareness
• grip
• percipience
• absorption
• conception
• digestion
• assimilation
• uptake
• realization
• consciousness
• hold
• visualization
• enlightenment

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• incomprehension
• misunderstanding
• misinterpretation
• misapprehension
• misperception
• noncomprehension
• miscomprehension

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of apprehension

Americans’ apprehension about artificial intelligence isn’t stopping them from using it at work. — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 21 July 2026

Gulf states are looking on with growing apprehension as the conflict between Iran and the US escalates again. — Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 19 July 2026

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the media’s apprehension about airing the president’s speech during her first press briefing back from maternity leave on Thursday. — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 16 July 2026

Homer’s poem does in fact register an apprehension of foreigners who live near the sea. — Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 16 July 2026

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