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
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The fear was that Jayden Daniels would be limited, that the brace on his left knee — or the knee itself — would hinder his running or his elusiveness, eliminate his quick cuts or somehow slow him down.—
Nicki Jhabvala,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025 -
Colangelo added that, in these depictions, the fear of transness is more present than the fear of being killed.—
Mathew Rodriguez,
Them.,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The move, which had been expected for weeks, is nonetheless being greeted with dread inside the news division.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Oct. 2025
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But few Dracula adaptations can summon the depth of feeling and atmospheric dread of Tod Browning's 1931 adaptation.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Phillies entered the ninth trailing 4-1 and quickly reminded the Dodgers why their bullpen concerns are so loud.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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On the heels of Karen’s sentencing, the women gather at Gizelle’s house to commiserate, and spend the whole scene dancing between concern, empathy, and absurdity.—
Shamira Ibrahim,
Vulture,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Other benefits of acupuncture were pain intensity reduction, an improvement of physical functions, and fewer anxiety symptoms.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
4 Oct. 2025
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The stress among the friend group about their costume theme is giving me more anxiety than a haunted hayride.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Shanen Wright, 48, a lifelong Charleston resident who lives near CAMC Memorial, said many in the city have little worry about flooding in the face of more immediate problems, like the opioid epidemic and the decline of manufacturing and mining.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
5 Oct. 2025
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Rising worries During the Milken Institute Asia Summit, other experts warned that retail inflows could distort pricing, erode returns and destabilize fund structures designed for long-term investments or patient capital.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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News of the deaths ricocheted through the prison system, spreading fear and unease.—
Jennifer Gonnerman,
New Yorker,
6 Oct. 2025
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The university acknowledged receiving messages expressing unease about the event, which was organized by the campus's chapter.—
Michael Ruiz , Stepheny Price , Preston Mizell,
FOXNews.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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That uncertainty comes at a time when many Americans’ budgets may already be stressed from years of elevated inflation, a slowing economy and possibly more tariffs.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
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The longer the shutdown lasts, the more indicators may be delayed, and the more uncertainty takes over.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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To exert brute force without apprehension.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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So did apprehensions of people with charges pending but no convictions.—
Juan Cordoba,
Arkansas Online,
5 Oct. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Apprehensiveness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apprehensiveness. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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