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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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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
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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
Noun
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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
-
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
Noun
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And without Stalter’s talent for masking Jess’ fears through recklessness — while still lining that recklessness with genuine excitement for the unknown — the series and its central character would be little more than two parts of the same mess.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
10 July 2025
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The threat remains, but the public’s fears, along with the movies that explored them, have faded away.—
Tom Nichols,
The Atlantic,
10 July 2025
Noun
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And since then, the North Koreans have gained crucial battlefield experience and understanding of how to engage in electronic warfare.—
Natasha Lindstaedt,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
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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
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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
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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
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Those investments have created concern in recent years for some stakeholders.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
14 July 2025
Noun
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First, exhibit appreciation for and an interest in others’ abilities, skills, knowledge and perspectives.—
Susan Madsen,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
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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
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This is the current situation: Certainly, a trend of appreciating precious metals is at work, but there is also the theme of ‘strategic and critical metals’ anxiety pushing platinum.—
Clem Chambers,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
This can cause unnecessary anxiety and concern for the dog.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Apprehension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apprehension. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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