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
Why the Big 12 is touting a ‘5+11’ CFP expansion model to combat the Big Ten’s auto-bid push
SEC leaders show support (and some trepidation) for College Football Playoff play-in games
Joe Rexrode is a senior writer for The Athletic covering college football.
—
Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 29 May 2025
The view from inside By Adam Reiss and Doha Madani
When cross-examination started, Ventura spoke with trepidation and caution.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 15 May 2025
Out on the mean streets of O.C., the coming changes have sparked some trepidation.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 11 June 2025
The coaches will have their meetings on Thursday, but their feeling was similar to the message coming from SEC coaches, who showed some trepidation over automatic bids and play-in games.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for trepidation
Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 29 May 2025
The view from inside By Adam Reiss and Doha Madani
When cross-examination started, Ventura spoke with trepidation and caution.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 15 May 2025
Out on the mean streets of O.C., the coming changes have sparked some trepidation.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 11 June 2025
The coaches will have their meetings on Thursday, but their feeling was similar to the message coming from SEC coaches, who showed some trepidation over automatic bids and play-in games.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for trepidation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trepidation
Noun
-
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
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These attempts challenge long-standing norms of academic freedom—that is, the ability of a teacher or researcher in higher education to investigate and discuss subjects without fear of political interference.—
Matt Motta,
Scientific American,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
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
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For example, a 2019 report by Columbia University in the City of New York highlighted how boredom is associated with issues such as risky behavior, anxiety and depression.—
Eric Wood,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2025
Noun
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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
Cite this Entry
“Trepidation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trepidation. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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