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
-
Israel launched airstrikes on central and western Iran after Tehran fired missiles at Israel, jolting major cities with explosions and raising fears the region is sliding back toward all-out war.—
Jon Gambrell,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026 -
Mexican authorities have previously expressed fears they could be used as weapons by rowdy fans.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
Finding the police at our place, then, wasn’t really a surprise, and my pulse returned to its usual rhythm, oddly calmed by the fact that the dread had finally left my heart.—
Andrea Bajani,
New Yorker,
7 June 2026
-
The prospect of voters heading to the polls in November to decide whether to give themselves a break on their property taxes has put cities in South Florida and across the state on edge, triggering alarm and dread.—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
After years of planning, anticipation, hype and a growing concern over high ticket prices and immigration restrictions, the largest World Cup in history kicks off on Thursday in Mexico City and will run through July 19 across 16 cities in Mexico, the United States and Canada.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
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The document also noted additional concerns.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
The Tonys are a place to put on a brave face, but will the anxiety creep in?—
Vulture Editors,
Vulture,
8 June 2026
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Acting as both tour guide and impromptu airplane anxiety therapist is all part of the job for Swanstrom.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
Even Republican leaders expressed worries.—
Eric McDaniel,
NPR,
11 June 2026
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Flynn wants allied coordination and worries about unilateral overreach.—
Mayra Rodriguez Valladares,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Perhaps my mother’s parents are trying to bend their apprehension into hope.—
Andrea Bajani,
New Yorker,
7 June 2026
-
Everything felt loud and inordinate; my initial apprehension was confirmed by the exhibition’s installation design.—
James Quandt,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
As terror has struck other cities around the world in recent months our shock and anger have been mixed with a growing sense of unease.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 June 2026
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Its deeper unease is that these systems are connected to one another.—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Her apartment offers exceptional views of the basilica, but the uncertainty surrounding the project has become a source of constant concern and has even prevented her from investing in renovations.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
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Jans’s core message, however, was that the population cap would increase uncertainty in already unstable times.—
Jessi Jezewska Stevens,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Apprehensiveness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apprehensiveness. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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