apprehensiveness

noun

1
as in fear
an uneasy state of mind usually over the possibility of an anticipated misfortune or trouble her apprehensiveness about starting college is keeping her awake at night

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dread
suspicion or fear of future harm or misfortune my apprehensiveness about raw fish disagreeing with me is keeping me from even trying sushi

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for apprehensiveness
  1. fear
  2. dread
  3. concern
  4. anxiety
  5. worry
  6. apprehension
  7. unease
  8. fearfulness
Noun
  • Given the global deployment of US troops and the frequency of its use of force, the fear was that the ICC would make US officials and soldiers vulnerable, and would reduce its freedom of military action.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Unreleased | Getty Images A spate of bomb threats against passenger flights has forced diversions, emergency landings and military escorts across European airspace this week, stoking fear among passengers and heaping pressure on airlines.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of fear
Noun
  • If that fills you with dread, don't worry — Kacy Paide has advice.
    — Andee Tagle, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Congress has recently presented legislation to resolve the chaos, although the involvement of politicians produces more dread than hope.
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of dread
Noun
  • The swelling majorities, with some races still too early to call, underlined a deep sense of voter anger and concern over the economy and the state of democracy.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The projects drew opposition over concerns about water consumption, electricity costs, and environmental protections.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of concern
Noun
  • America in 2026 is not Nazi Germany, but events from 88 years ago still overshadow the thinking and anxiety of millions of Jews.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Advertisement Even reading this suggestion to consider being more open-minded may increase your anxiety and create tension in your body.
    — Joan M. Cook, Time, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of anxiety
Noun
  • Capital One jumped 3% after struggling last week amid worries about higher gasoline prices and credit delinquencies.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Several hacks on government infrastructure underscored growing worry over the use of AI to undermine cybersecurity.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of worry
Noun
  • And there’s this sort of strange, ghostly expectancy, which is quite weird, a mixture of apprehension and fear.
    — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
  • But the plaintiffs said that the Big Bend Sector ranks last for apprehensions compared to the other six sectors along the southern border.
    — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of apprehension
Noun
  • Le Pen, meanwhile, has sought to harness unease over the demonstrations.
    — David Brennan, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2026
  • California Democrats have been unable, so far, to solve homelessness or rising housing prices, Newton said, and there is unease about whether the policies that have gotten California to this point can move the state forward.
    — Jenny Jarvie Follow, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of unease
Noun
  • There’s a delicacy to Sebastián, a hushed fearfulness, that sets him apart from his new comrades.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of fearfulness
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.

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apprehensively
apprehensiveness
apprentice
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Cite this Entry

“Apprehensiveness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apprehensiveness. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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