Synonym Chooser

How is the word trepidation distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of trepidation are alarm, dread, fear, fright, panic, and terror. While all these words mean "painful agitation in the presence or anticipation of danger," trepidation adds to dread the implications of timidity, trembling, and hesitation.

raised the subject with trepidation

When would alarm be a good substitute for trepidation?

While the synonyms alarm and trepidation are close in meaning, alarm suggests a sudden and intense awareness of immediate danger.

view the situation with alarm

Where would dread be a reasonable alternative to trepidation?

The words dread and trepidation can be used in similar contexts, but dread usually adds the idea of intense reluctance to face or meet a person or situation and suggests aversion as well as anxiety.

faced the meeting with dread

When might fear be a better fit than trepidation?

The meanings of fear and trepidation largely overlap; however, fear is the most general term and implies anxiety and usually loss of courage.

fear of the unknown

When could fright be used to replace trepidation?

Although the words fright and trepidation have much in common, fright implies the shock of sudden, startling fear.

fright at being awakened suddenly

When is panic a more appropriate choice than trepidation?

The synonyms panic and trepidation are sometimes interchangeable, but panic implies unreasoning and overmastering fear causing hysterical activity.

the news caused widespread panic

When is it sensible to use terror instead of trepidation?

The words terror and trepidation are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, terror implies the most extreme degree of fear.

immobilized with terror

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 trepidation But there is no doubt that there should at least be some trepidation regarding Parsons heading into the regular season. Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025 From grandmothers who’ve made it for countless birthdays and potlucks to professional pastry chefs and celebrated cookbook authors, most Southerners approach this beloved yet confidence-shaking dessert with a sense of trepidation. Josh Miller, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2025 In Tennessee, many businesses are awaiting direction with trepidation. Hadley Hitson, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025 While there’s excitement this year towards seeing how some of the prospects perform in the majors, there’s also trepidation given the environment they’re being thrown into. Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for trepidation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trepidation
Noun
  • But after nearly two years of bloodshed in Gaza, and the proliferation of Israeli outposts in the occupied West Bank, fears are mounting that Palestinian statehood is a fading prospect.
    Tara John, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
  • The shooting has stirred fear among some Americans that Trump is trying to harness outrage over the killing as justification to suppress the voices of his critics and political opponents.
    Jonathan J. Cooper, Twin Cities, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The system, with its high-voltage generator, addresses the range anxiety of electric vehicles.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Over six days, joy and anxiety collide as the family hides in plain sight in what can be described as a biographical piece of filmmaking for Lafosse.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 20 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In this case, there’s that feeling of dread.
    Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Yeah, there’s just a dread, isn’t there?
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Trepidation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trepidation. Accessed 27 Sep. 2025.

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