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
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Recent Examples of apprehension
The Trump administration has cited an obscure provision within immigration law, the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, to justify Khalil’s apprehension.
—
Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2025
Kim and Zem spend much of the film merely having their respective characters observing one another — with curiosity, apprehension and, sometimes, even with something resembling desire.
—Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 25 Mar. 2025
Understandably, the team felt a degree of apprehension due to the focus on acquiring new clients in an unfamiliar market, which marked a departure from our traditional operations.
—Lori Huss, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Shalamar Samuels Shalamar Samuel’s decision to cut her hair was a mix of excitement and apprehension.
—Celeste Polanco, Essence, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apprehension
Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2025
Kim and Zem spend much of the film merely having their respective characters observing one another — with curiosity, apprehension and, sometimes, even with something resembling desire.
—Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 25 Mar. 2025
Understandably, the team felt a degree of apprehension due to the focus on acquiring new clients in an unfamiliar market, which marked a departure from our traditional operations.
—Lori Huss, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Shalamar Samuels Shalamar Samuel’s decision to cut her hair was a mix of excitement and apprehension.
—Celeste Polanco, Essence, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apprehension
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apprehension
Noun
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When the slasher eventually appears, stealing the group’s car before murdering them with a humorous bluntness, there is also a real atmosphere of dread.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Apr. 2025
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But his ailment looked to be grave enough to warrant dread.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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For many in attendance, the commemoration has new meaning amid federal immigration enforcement targeting immigrant communities, including the risk of arrest at a place of worship.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
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The Columbia Jewish Alumni Association, an organization formed during last school year’s campus protests, has reviled both activists on social media and questioned public sympathy for them in the aftermath of their arrests.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Orr’s study also found that even as silence about climate change can spiral into deeper fears of speaking out, speaking about the issue can drive a spiral toward further discussion and action — and that individual conversations can play a surprisingly large role.—
Saul Elbein,
The Hill,
17 Apr. 2025
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Creating a culture of fear by persecuting unpopular individuals and groups?—
Garry Kasparov,
The Atlantic,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Rather, given Cascadian ecology—the primary focus of Carr’s images—understandings of her imaginative creations might also be constructed irrespective of nation: an artist seen primarily in relation to her place, itself her subject.—
Emily Zarevich,
JSTOR Daily,
26 Apr. 2025
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Dragonfly, if successful, could revolutionize our understanding of how life might arise elsewhere in the solar system.—
Andrew Jones,
Space.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Not Enough People Are Watching ‘NYT Mini’ Clues And Answers For Saturday, April 26 New Google Leak Reveals Subscription Changes For Gemini AI There is no shortage of worries for European auto manufacturers.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
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These worries lead people to make a series of decisions to delay having children, with hopes of having them in the future.—
Lisa Hagen,
NPR,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The arrests came after town halls across the country have become heated, as constituents from both parties expressed concern over President Donald Trump's swift and far-reaching staffing cuts.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
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The lack of transparency about the process has created concerns among trade experts that politically connected firms might be winning carve-outs behind closed doors.—
Robert Faturechi,
ProPublica,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Yuskavage recounted that she was raised in a blue collar community in Pennsylvania, where there was little to no art on display, no contact with galleries and museums, and even less appreciation of art, or the possibility of being an artist.—
Tom Teicholz,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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The rest of the evening was largely an energetic affair that oscillated between sincere appreciation and light humor, the latter of which began for co-host and winner Gold early in the event.—
Abbey White,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Hiking in nature has also been shown to reduce anxiety and depression.—
Ashley J. DiMella Fox News,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2025
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While immediate inflation concerns have eased, the current administration’s assertive tariff policies are reigniting these anxieties, potentially leading to future economic instability.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Apprehension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apprehension. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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