APPREHENSIVE Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'apprehensive' different from other adjectives like it?

The words afraid and fearful are common synonyms of apprehensive . While all three words mean "disturbed by fear," apprehensive suggests a state of mind and implies a premonition of evil or danger. // apprehensive of being found out

Q: When is it sensible to use 'afraid' instead of 'apprehensive'?

While in some cases nearly identical to apprehensive , afraid often suggests weakness or cowardice and regularly implies inhibition of action or utterance. // afraid to speak the truth

Q: When would 'fearful' be a good substitute for 'apprehensive'?

The words fearful and apprehensive can be used in similar contexts, but fearful implies often a timorous or worrying temperament. // the child is fearful of loud noises

apprehensive

adjective

ˌa-pri-ˈhen(t)-siv

Definition of apprehensive next

as in aware

having specified facts or feelings actively impressed on the mind I'm fully apprehensive of the options, I assure you

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How is the word apprehensive different from other adjectives like it?

The words afraid and fearful are common synonyms of apprehensive. While all three words mean "disturbed by fear," apprehensive suggests a state of mind and implies a premonition of evil or danger.

apprehensive of being found out

When is it sensible to use afraid instead of apprehensive?

While in some cases nearly identical to apprehensive, afraid often suggests weakness or cowardice and regularly implies inhibition of action or utterance.

afraid to speak the truth

When would fearful be a good substitute for apprehensive?

The words fearful and apprehensive can be used in similar contexts, but fearful implies often a timorous or worrying temperament.

the child is fearful of loud noises

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 apprehensive Slocum said that so far, voters of all political stripes have been apprehensive about these facilities. —

Emily L Mahoney, Sun Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2026 People are apprehensive about being out and about, with the security forces on edge. —

Tim Lister, CNN Money, 4 Jan. 2026 Rosanov and Hollander—two charismatic, occasionally chaotic leading men — arrive at the cottage eager but apprehensive. —

Chris Dong, USA Today, 27 Dec. 2025 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sounded apprehensive about where peace talks stood when speaking to the press on Saturday. —

Anders Hagstrom, FOXNews.com, 21 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for apprehensive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for apprehensive

aware

Adjective

Nexus One now supports job-aware observability, allowing operators to correlate network behavior directly with GPU workloads.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
Burrell superintendent Shannon Wagner told KDKA-TV in a statement that the district was made aware of the arrest and allegations and that Fantuzzo has been relieved of his coaching duties until the outcome of the Montgomery County proceedings.

— Mike Darnay, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026

Definition of aware

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apprehensions

apprehensive

apprehensively

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“Apprehensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apprehensive. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 14 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of apprehensive

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