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. uncertainty
Noun
  • Leaders in Springfield say the growing ICE presence many fear hasn’t yet materialized.
    — Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Finally, heading off to senior year wearing a Care Bears backpack could be a coping mechanism that helps teens deal with fears about the future.
    — Melissa Willets, Parents, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of fear
Noun
  • On Podium, Cheekface dial up both the hooks and the sociopolitical dread, but absurdist humor remains their defense mechanism for a world spiraling out of control.
    — Zach Schonfeld, Pitchfork, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Lynskey suggests that there might be some way to grasp the significance of events like the unprecedented wildfires in Europe without giving in to dread.
    — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of dread
Noun
  • The elephant deaths and disputes about the cause have intensified concerns over growing human-wildlife conflict in the region due to expanding agricultural activities near Amboseli park.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • For some observers, the public nature of the event raised concerns.
    — Abby Dodge, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of concern
Noun
  • Validate their emotions by acknowledging any anxieties and feelings as normal.
    — Melissa Willets, Parents, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Poor sleep in teens is tied to anxiety symptoms, depression symptoms, weaker peer support and trouble getting through the school day.
    — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of anxiety
Noun
  • But the worry is that hackers could cause greater disruptions, such as a surge in water pressure that could burst pipes and endanger critical facilities, including hospitals, Corman said.
    — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • As new-ish CBS News chieftain Bari Weiss looks poised to rule over CNN too, there are worries in Blue State and MSM circles about the fate of the cable newser — a thorn in Donald Trump‘s paw — if the ParaBros deal closes.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of worry
Noun
  • Ferguson pulls us into the moment with a look of apprehension.
    — Daron James, IndieWire, 31 July 2026
  • In another operation the same month, agents discussed making 31 apprehensions.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
Definition of apprehension
Noun
  • Such talk seemed fanciful until this week, despite long-term unease with Infantino’s style and previous attempts to force through unpopular projects.
    — Graham Dunbar, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Wilson, playing Tom’s own version of that unease a few beats earlier, needed only the smallest gesture to register it.
    — JP Mangalindan, Time, 31 July 2026
Definition of unease
Noun
  • Early footage shows the group navigating uncertainty before eventually rediscovering its chemistry with Armstrong and Brittain, a process that transformed grief into a new creative chapter.
    — SPIN Staff, SPIN, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The service later moved through a confusing sequence of identities — HBO Max, Max and ultimately HBO Max again — reflecting a strategic uncertainty that its competitors were happy to exploit.
    — Paul Hardart, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of uncertainty
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 Aug. 2026.

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