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
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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
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Recent Examples of apprehension
Last year, apprehensions of Chinese nationals at the border reached a record high.
—
Aarne Heikkila, NBC news, 17 May 2025
Our priority remains the safety of the community and the swift apprehension of those still at large.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
There is a lot of apprehension around generative AI (GenAI).
—Jennifer Chase, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
According to the Border Patrol, there have been 287 maritime events with 951 apprehensions in the San Diego County area between Oct. 1 and mid-April.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for apprehension
Aarne Heikkila, NBC news, 17 May 2025
Our priority remains the safety of the community and the swift apprehension of those still at large.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
There is a lot of apprehension around generative AI (GenAI).
—Jennifer Chase, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
According to the Border Patrol, there have been 287 maritime events with 951 apprehensions in the San Diego County area between Oct. 1 and mid-April.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for apprehension
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apprehension
Noun
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At night, the power was often cut, and guards would scream threats into the darkness, heightening dread and disorientation.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
20 May 2025
-
Anxiety is a feeling of fear and dread, often triggered by stressful situations, uncertainty, and perceived threats.12 People whose anxiety does not go away or gets worse over time may have an anxiety disorder.—
Emmanuella Ogbonna,
Health,
19 May 2025
Noun
-
Police reports since 2023 include a call to clear the building, a property damage report, a trespassing arrest and a reported robbery in March.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
26 May 2025
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Alice's dinner at the Harrigan house goes south fast, leading to Conrad and Maeve's arrest.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
26 May 2025
Noun
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Some of this fear is rooted in social comparison, but much of it is tied to daily concerns about funding retirement accounts and covering child care costs.—
Eliza Brooke,
Vox,
23 May 2025
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While on the stand, Ventura also opened up about dating Mescudi for a short period, but allegedly having to break it off out of fear of Combs' reaction.—
Jordana Comiter,
People.com,
22 May 2025
Noun
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Brands need to develop a deeper understanding of the media consumption habits and cultural nuances of diverse audiences to connect authentically and build lasting relationships.—
Julie Kratz,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
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Which is to say, of course teen movies reflect the times in which they are made and society’s contemporaneous understanding of what Kids Today are like (wholesome or delinquent, risk-taking or anxious, horny or … horny).—
Lisa Schwarzbaum,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
Noun
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The letter is a sign of growing ties between religious and AI safety groups, which share some of the same worries.—
Billy Perrigo,
Time,
21 May 2025
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While Shields spent her adolescence in the spotlight starring in movies such as Pretty Baby and The Blue Lagoon and modeling for the likes of Calvin Klein, she's expressed her own worries for her daughters growing up in the world of social media.—
Kayla Grant,
People.com,
20 May 2025
Noun
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Officials have expressed concerns about applicants' online activities, particularly those perceived as hostile to U.S. interests.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 May 2025
-
Many of his followers are schoolboys — something that has sparked concern among educators worldwide.—
Willem Marx,
NPR,
28 May 2025
Noun
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Still, though, worthy of appreciation in the eyes of someone for whom the softness of an aging body can look a lot like love.—
Valerie Monroe,
Allure,
23 May 2025
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Gordon noted an appreciation for the architecture of the building, including nods to the elevated tracks and trains that previously ran through the area.—
Aman Kidwai,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 May 2025
Noun
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Millennials courageously started talking openly about therapy, anxiety, and depression, breaking decades of stigma.—
Charell G. Coleman,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
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Trousdale’s songs adroitly address female empowerment, loss, heartbreak, anxiety, mental health and other subjects while striking a winning balance between melancholia and buoyancy.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Apprehension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apprehension. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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