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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
  • Lawrence has widened his aim to the entire AI industry, calling for a pause on AI development in the wake of fears from some at the companies that the technology could eliminate humanity.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Feldstein’s arrest was kept under a sweeping gag order, for fear that disclosing it would compromise Israeli intelligence, but the Haaretz reporter Bar Peleg soon learned of it.
    — Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of fear
Noun
  • The mood would be a mix of confidence, desperation and nagging dread.
    — Austin Meek, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Instead, Sega and Creative Assembly have bet on pure atmosphere, dread that runs deeper thanks to more detailed graphics and audio, and of course, letting everyone know the Xenomorph's dynamic AI has evolved too.
    — Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of dread
Noun
  • Plan for the content of the meeting, including the objections, concerns and reservations people may bring.
    — Inga Bielińska, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Sure, Mahomes did enough Monday night to dispel any concerns about a drop-off in his game.
    — Mike Jones, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of concern
Noun
  • Plus, the recent detention of several Haitian pastors by immigration authorities is fueling even more anxiety among congregants.
    — Lauren Costantino September 19, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Given the characters’ extreme situation, black humor also feels natural—a way of protecting themselves from anxiety and fear.
    — Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of anxiety
Noun
  • For Villa, there were mitigating circumstances in this latest defeat by Glasner, yet the worry is they are still being caught with the same punches.
    — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Similar economic stressors like finding a new job if they get laid off, employer reductions of healthcare or retirement benefits, or simply not advancing in their career at pace significantly outrank worries about the impact of AI.
    — Stacey Zolt Hara, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of worry
Noun
  • Police also said Myisha Donaldson, 47, was arrested and charged with one count of obstruction of apprehension or prosecution in relation to the shooting.
    — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Not having been to the dinner before, the couple was filled with a mix of excitement tinged with apprehension.
    — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of apprehension
Noun
  • This is another thing that’s clearly added to the unease within the industry.
    — Tyler Foggatt, New Yorker, 17 Sep. 2026
  • But not everyone reads the appointment as reassuring, as the leadership reshuffle has come amid growing unease over the central bank's autonomy.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of unease
Noun
  • Now, however, the escalating trade disputes between the two nations are not only challenging this close partnership, but also creating growing uncertainty for American farmers and agricultural equipment manufacturers.
    — , CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Together, the flurry of legal filings has thrust the state, its voters and election officials into a period of uncertainty ahead of the November election.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 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 21 Sep. 2026.

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