1
as in dread
suspicion or fear of future harm or misfortune
the hikers entered the dark cave with a great deal of apprehension
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in arrest
the act of taking into one's control by authority of law
apprehension of the burglar set the neighborhood at ease
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in fear
an uneasy state of mind usually over the possibility of an anticipated misfortune or trouble
felt a great deal of apprehension about the trip and about arriving safely
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in understanding
the knowledge gained from the process of coming to know or understand something
a good apprehension of how computer systems work
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 apprehension
Nevertheless, any move by Germany toward the acquisition of nuclear weapons would be imaginable only in close consultation and concert with other European states, first and foremost Poland, where a nuclear-armed Germany would cause the most apprehension.
—
Florence Gaub, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
There’s a moment in the final pages of the Voyage when Darwin implies that his apprehension of the magnitude of time comes to him through a kind of via negativa, that Desert Fathers practice of seeking God by stripping away all that is comprehensible and then watching to see what remains.
—Lewis Hyde, Harpers Magazine, 18 June 2025
Despite resident apprehension and pushback over the years, Lenexa continues to march westward with its development.
—Taylor O’Connor, Kansas City Star, 17 June 2025
The discount indicates investor apprehension regarding BP’s evolving strategy, declining earnings, and structural obstacles.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for apprehension
Florence Gaub, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
There’s a moment in the final pages of the Voyage when Darwin implies that his apprehension of the magnitude of time comes to him through a kind of via negativa, that Desert Fathers practice of seeking God by stripping away all that is comprehensible and then watching to see what remains.
—Lewis Hyde, Harpers Magazine, 18 June 2025
Despite resident apprehension and pushback over the years, Lenexa continues to march westward with its development.
—Taylor O’Connor, Kansas City Star, 17 June 2025
The discount indicates investor apprehension regarding BP’s evolving strategy, declining earnings, and structural obstacles.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for apprehension
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apprehension
Noun
-
But there is a clinging dread and mystery in these stories that will stay with you.—
Drew Broussard
July 8,
Literary Hub,
8 July 2025
-
For Lawler, the incident drove home the growing problem of space junk—and left her with a sense of dread that’s never quite gone away.—
Dan Falk,
Smithsonian Magazine,
3 July 2025
Noun
-
Ding was informed of his arrest at the scene but not immediately taken to jail, the lawsuit says.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 July 2025
-
At the time of his arrest, Kohberger was 28 years old and had recently wrapped his first semester as a Ph.D criminology student at Washington State University's Pullman campus, a roughly 15-minute drive from Moscow.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
Humanitarian workers—many idealistic and committed—fear that sounding the alarm will end operations altogether.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
-
Rather than basing trades on company fundamentals or earnings outlooks, many investors appear to be reacting to market trends and peer activity — a pattern commonly associated with FOMO, or fear of missing out.—
Spriha Srivastava,
CNBC,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
Breslow had done the interview before the game with the understanding that the selections would be embargoed until later in the day.—
Steve Buckley,
New York Times,
7 July 2025
-
Our sight has to be informed with a broader understanding of context, history, and the individual.—
Will Potter
July 7,
Literary Hub,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
Their visits to the ophthalmologist are now every six months, but Maggie admits the worry never quite fades.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
7 July 2025
-
Meanwhile, there was hand-wringing in the NASCAR garage over headlines about high crime and worries about whether the Cup Series cars would be able to have a good show on such a narrow course.—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
6 July 2025
Noun
-
Privacy and security concerns with smart thermostats These programs also raise important data privacy concerns.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
14 July 2025
-
The report found that concerns were often handled informally without adequate record-keeping, and that freelance staff felt reluctant to complain due to job insecurity.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
First, exhibit appreciation for and an interest in others’ abilities, skills, knowledge and perspectives.—
Susan Madsen,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
-
And there’s this deep appreciation for culture and the way these countries developed, especially as an outsider looking at the United States.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
The study also identified an association between sleepwalking and psychiatric disorders like depression and anxiety.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 July 2025
-
Jail records from 2019 show that Ornelas suffered from depression and anxiety and had previously been placed on suicide watch.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Apprehension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apprehension. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share