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
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Recent Examples of apprehension
Authorities are offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the apprehension and extradition of a suspect in a 2021 homicide.
—
Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2025
The alert will be disseminated if the available information can help avoid further harm or accelerate apprehension of the suspect.
—Wren Smetana, AZCentral.com, 2 Nov. 2025
Under the deal, 10 Nassau County detectives have been trained and designated to work with ICE on apprehensions and investigations, and the county has reserved 50 jail cells for ICE to hold detainees for up to 72 hours before deportation or charging.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025
On balding and facial hair For anyone starting testosterone, balding can be a major source of apprehension.
—Quispe López, Them., 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apprehension
Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2025
The alert will be disseminated if the available information can help avoid further harm or accelerate apprehension of the suspect.
—Wren Smetana, AZCentral.com, 2 Nov. 2025
Under the deal, 10 Nassau County detectives have been trained and designated to work with ICE on apprehensions and investigations, and the county has reserved 50 jail cells for ICE to hold detainees for up to 72 hours before deportation or charging.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025
On balding and facial hair For anyone starting testosterone, balding can be a major source of apprehension.
—Quispe López, Them., 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apprehension
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apprehension
Noun
-
Foreboding and dread is consuming celebrities scheduled to dance on The Jennifer Hudson Show.—
Andy Hoglund,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Nov. 2025
-
As the anniversary of Will’s disappearance approaches, so does a heavy, familiar dread.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
While the clashes caused tension and at least one man was sent to a hospital with a cut to his head, arrests appeared to be minimal.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
12 Nov. 2025
-
According to a 2023 report from Human Rights Watch, millions of Bangladeshis faced political persecution during Hasina’s tenure, including arrests, prosecution, and violence.—
MUHIB RAHMAN,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Cotton argued the shutdown’s cause was not the expiring health care subsidies, but rather Democrats’ fear of blowback from their supporters.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Iran is facing its worst drought in decades, raising fears of evacuations in Tehran while threatening the regime’s stability and nuclear ambitions, according to a leading environmental expert.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
After the 2025 playoffs are over, there should be a better understanding whether the pros outweighed the cons with the new playoff brackets.—
Cecil Joyce,
Nashville Tennessean,
11 Nov. 2025
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The word salad of an assessment, based on an overwhelmingly white and wealthy cohort, has since guided billions of dollars in investor capital and serves as a nearly-undisputed foundation for a mainstream understanding of popular culture.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Meanwhile Syria remains scarred by years of conflict and nationals in Germany are looking on at the debate with mounting worry.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
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Leaders at big carmakers spelled out their worries in the latest round of earnings calls, saying that finding a replacement for Nexperia at scale in the short term will be difficult.—
Boston Herald Wire Services,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously opposed the bill, citing concerns over potential retaliation against Israeli hostages held in Gaza.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Addressing environmental and material concerns While perovskite materials are relatively affordable, their use of rare elements and lead raises environmental concerns.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Hayes suggests expressing appreciation, complimenting the host, and, if appropriate, lightly noting your next engagement.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Nov. 2025
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The film follows poets Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley as their love deepens, and the couple finds newfound appreciation for the preciousness of life after a terminal illness diagnosis.—
Addie Morfoot,
Variety,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The attendees—thirty- and forty-somethings who are members of the bank’s Private Wealth Management (PWM) division, which boasts an average account size of over $75 million—gathered to hash out their anxiety and excitement.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 2025
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Barton will have to wait another month to receive his sentence for the six guilty counts the jury returned on charges of sending a grossly offensive electronic communication with intent to cause distress or anxiety to football broadcasters Eni Aluko and Lucy Ward, and TV and radio host Jeremy Vine.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Apprehension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apprehension. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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