as in fear
the emotion experienced in the presence or threat of danger
shaking with trepidation, I stepped into the old abandoned house
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Recent Examples of trepidation
Throughout the years, Alex brought Kiba to different veterinarians, and each time she would be met with some trepidation.
—
Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
In 1962, National Geographic sent a Dutch photographer named Hugo van Lawick to capture her work, and after some initial trepidation, the two became close and later married.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
There was no trepidation going in.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
The announcement, sparse on specific details, captured the trepidation and lingering ambivalences that AI companies have about policing young users, even as OpenAI begins to implement these basic features nearly three years after the launch of ChatGPT.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trepidation
Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
In 1962, National Geographic sent a Dutch photographer named Hugo van Lawick to capture her work, and after some initial trepidation, the two became close and later married.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
There was no trepidation going in.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
The announcement, sparse on specific details, captured the trepidation and lingering ambivalences that AI companies have about policing young users, even as OpenAI begins to implement these basic features nearly three years after the launch of ChatGPT.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trepidation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trepidation
Noun
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The interlocking deals also have boosted fears of a bubble in AI spending, particularly as many of these partnerships involve OpenAI, a fast-growing but unprofitable business.—
Jessica Coacci,
Fortune,
13 Oct. 2025
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Sometimes, a long pause in stalking behavior is a tactic designed to create more fear by allowing the victim to drop their guard before restarting the behavior, said Aims Babich, director of survivor services at SafeHouse Denver, an emergency shelter for survivors of domestic violence.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The nation’s third shutdown in 12 years has again raised anxiety levels among service members and their families as those in uniform are working without pay.—
Fortune,
Fortune,
11 Oct. 2025
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In the book, she's portrayed as someone suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and on anxiety medication, both of which are used to discredit her and paint her as unwell.—
Rebecca Aizin,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Walt Disney Imagineering updated the storyline of Black Widow Bride Constance Hatchway earlier this year by turning her from an axe murderer who beheads her wealthy husbands into a more mournful figure overwhelmed by the dread of lost love.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
13 Oct. 2025
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The idea of having to double-cleanse fills me with dread.—
Mattie Kahn,
Vogue,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Trepidation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trepidation. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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