as in aware
having specified facts or feelings actively impressed on the mind
I'm fully apprehensive of the options, I assure you
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
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.
Recent Examples of apprehensive
Alyssa N. Salcedo, jsonline.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Wickenden says Victor Mature was apprehensive at first.
—Meredith Wilshere, People.com, 3 Aug. 2025
Shaw said her own son, Steve, has always been apprehensive about flying.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Aug. 2025
Heading into earnings, many on Wall Street remain apprehensive of the stock and are waiting for more proof.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for apprehensive
Adjective
Free home improvements, no strings attached Although Revitalize Milwaukee’s support is free, some of Milwaukee's senior population are apprehensive and avoid reaching out for fear of being scammed, Roach said.
—Alyssa N. Salcedo, jsonline.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Wickenden says Victor Mature was apprehensive at first.
—Meredith Wilshere, People.com, 3 Aug. 2025
Shaw said her own son, Steve, has always been apprehensive about flying.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Aug. 2025
Heading into earnings, many on Wall Street remain apprehensive of the stock and are waiting for more proof.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for apprehensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apprehensive
Adjective
-
What’s Next UPenn has issued safety advice to students, including not wearing headphones, staying off of phones, and making sure to stay aware of surroundings.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
-
In a rare move, aware of Chapman’s growing comfort in Boston, Breslow worked out an in-season extension for the veteran reliever.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
For its part, the stock market has defied financial fears during recent government shutdowns.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
30 Sep. 2025
-
For Jones, that means confronting her childhood fear of clowns.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Nonetheless, Lloyd's production is handsomely realized, with striking silhouetttes courtesy of Jon Clark and unnerving sound design by Ben and Max Ringham, who add a low whirr of dread to the existential fable.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Jon Clark’s no-place-to-hide lighting unnervingly brightens Beckett’s shadowy world but without losing its sense of dread, allowing both light and dark at the end of this infinite tunnel.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Powell said a sharp cooldown of hiring over the summer had shifted the balance of risks toward greater concern over the labor market rather than inflation.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Made in Africa is a monthly column by Rolling Stone staff writer Mankaprr Conteh that celebrates and interrogates the lives, concerns, and innovations of cultural workers of the African diaspora from their vantage point.—
Mankaprr Conteh,
Rolling Stone,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Though when that context is Newcastle’s longer-term top-flight form, then a general feeling of unease is becoming justified.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Despite a growing sense of unease, museum leaders across the country have largely remained silent.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
The longer the shutdown lasts, the more indicators may be delayed, and the more uncertainty takes over.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Apprehensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apprehensive. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share