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
Noun
-
A lot of people get drawn into the fear, distracted by the thoughts in their head.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026 -
Many immigrant customers haven’t returned, while five of his former employees, despite having working papers, left Charlotte permanently out of fear.—
Liz Rothaus Bertrand,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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That last reassuring prediction lowered my dread meter enough to consider the Connecticut homegrown disruptive events that will require attention but do not threaten annihilation.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
3 Jan. 2026
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For many Venezuelans in Austin, news that United States forces had captured Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, landed with a mix of relief and dread.—
Julianna Duennes Russ,
Austin American Statesman,
3 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The measures, which had been agreed to in writing in mid-November 2023, were intended to address Lively’s concerns about on-set conduct and safety.—
Elizabeth Rosner,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Venezuelan immigrants and political refugees are celebrating the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, despite local protests and legal concerns.—
Ray Padilla,
Louisville Courier Journal,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
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
Noun
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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
-
Worrying about finding a bathroom, coping with abdominal pain, and apprehension about symptoms starting or coming back all cause stress.—
Amber J. Tresca,
Verywell Health,
6 Jan. 2026
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At the height of the border crisis, apprehensions totaled more than 25,000 in New Mexico in March 2023.—
Center Square,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Mia Goth’s dual roles add another layer of unease.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Jan. 2026
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Political turmoil added to unease up North.—
Stephanie Hughes,
Fortune,
31 Dec. 2025
Noun
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The Change Agent leads with resilience, embraces uncertainty and helps teams move confidently through transformation.—
Kelly Jones,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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The vast majority of recent prediction markets growth has come from sports betting, a category that has come online only recently due to legal uncertainty.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Apprehensiveness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apprehensiveness. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.
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