Synonym Chooser

How is the word trepidation distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of trepidation are alarm, dread, fear, fright, panic, and terror. While all these words mean "painful agitation in the presence or anticipation of danger," trepidation adds to dread the implications of timidity, trembling, and hesitation.

raised the subject with trepidation

When would alarm be a good substitute for trepidation?

While the synonyms alarm and trepidation are close in meaning, alarm suggests a sudden and intense awareness of immediate danger.

view the situation with alarm

Where would dread be a reasonable alternative to trepidation?

The words dread and trepidation can be used in similar contexts, but dread usually adds the idea of intense reluctance to face or meet a person or situation and suggests aversion as well as anxiety.

faced the meeting with dread

When might fear be a better fit than trepidation?

The meanings of fear and trepidation largely overlap; however, fear is the most general term and implies anxiety and usually loss of courage.

fear of the unknown

When could fright be used to replace trepidation?

Although the words fright and trepidation have much in common, fright implies the shock of sudden, startling fear.

fright at being awakened suddenly

When is panic a more appropriate choice than trepidation?

The synonyms panic and trepidation are sometimes interchangeable, but panic implies unreasoning and overmastering fear causing hysterical activity.

the news caused widespread panic

When is it sensible to use terror instead of trepidation?

The words terror and trepidation are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, terror implies the most extreme degree of fear.

immobilized with terror

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 trepidation In the months since Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election in November, policymakers in Beijing have been looking to the next four years of U.S.-Chinese relations with trepidation. Yun Sun, Foreign Affairs, 6 Feb. 2025 Fed officials have refrained from commenting directly on policy clashes in Washington, but have expressed a level of trepidation about trying to prejudge events. Jeff Cox, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2025 Elon Musk Gesture To Inauguration Crowd Sparks Online Chatter 1 American Jews watched President Donald Trump's inauguration with trepidation—the majority of us, after all, had not voted for him and were concerned what a president who has pushed antisemitic rhetoric might mean. Hannah Rosenthal and David Saperstein, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025 Despite his trepidation, and the fact that his closeted ex is also in town, Henry decides to stay until his grandpa is fully recovered. Sadie Collins, Them, 24 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for trepidation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trepidation
Noun
  • Had fear of exposure or rejection kept you from fully stepping into leadership or creative risk?
    Colin Bedell, Them, 28 Feb. 2025
  • According to polling by the Bipartisan Policy Center, nearly one in four mothers have considered leaving their jobs due to a lack of accommodations or fear of discrimination during pregnancy.
    G Kirilloff, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • In the film, Shear stars as Sam, a once-promising law student whose anxiety has slowly chipped away at his confidence in all areas of his life.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 7 Mar. 2025
  • One possibility is anxiety, which, according to Kaiser, feeds on avoidance.
    Melissa Willets, Parents, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Over the past few weeks, my family has watched with dread as the Trump administration has closed the borders of the United States to asylum seekers and refugees just like in World War II.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 27 Feb. 2025
  • For many, there's a feeling of dread associated with software updates to your favorite gadget.
    Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 11 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Trepidation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trepidation. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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