1
as in fear
an uneasy state of mind usually over the possibility of an anticipated misfortune or trouble
her apprehensiveness about starting college is keeping her awake at night
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dread
suspicion or fear of future harm or misfortune
my apprehensiveness about raw fish disagreeing with me is keeping me from even trying sushi
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apprehensiveness
Noun
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Such a low number spurred fears the ongoing trade war may finally be starting to affect the economy’s hard data.—
Paolo Confino,
Fortune,
4 June 2025 -
Exploiting this vulnerability, 764 members tend to elicit fear by threatening to share a victim’s explicit or harmful content with family and friends or publicly online, ultimately forcing them to comply with their demands.—
Alex Vance,
Parents,
4 June 2025
Noun
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Kids might be excited about the end of the school year and for summer to begin, but many working parents who don’t know how to fill their kids’ long summer days may be feeling some dread right about now.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
8 June 2025
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Looming over his studies and extracurriculars is a singular dread.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
8 June 2025
Noun
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On May 25, Korie took to social media to share Phil's passing after months of health concerns.—
Janelle Ash,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2025
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Supplement Delivery Formats Get a Modern Makeover The Vitamin Shoppe’s report found that 69 percent of Americans take supplements with energy, immunity, cognition and bone health as key areas of concern.—
Emily Burns,
Footwear News,
9 June 2025
Noun
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Survey respondents’ anxiety over unemployment also declined, but a separate measure of employment trends from the Conference Board dipped slightly, reflecting lingering economic uncertainty.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
10 June 2025
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When an industry accelerates this fast, anxiety is sure to follow and a growing number of CEOs aren’t asking whether to build with AI.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
Noun
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Those worries vanished when she was accepted to Yale University.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
14 June 2025
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Fear of falling behind That worry of falling behind is something many men are wrestling with, according to a recent report by the Speaking with American Men (SAM) project, a new effort aimed at helping Democrats better reach and connect with young men.—
Elena Moore,
NPR,
13 June 2025
Noun
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Meanwhile, European defense and infrastructure spending is expected to support growth amid growing unease over the U.S. commitment to Ukraine.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 June 2025
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The series draws its fear and unease from a chilling idea: the sense that dangerous people often hide in plain sight.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
4 June 2025
Noun
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The Sun entered the 2025 WNBA season with uncertainty swirling around its future in Connecticut after its Mohegan Tribe ownership retained an investment bank to explore strategic financial options including selling the franchise.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
14 June 2025
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The number of card games on the market surged while consumers tightened their wallets in response to economic uncertainty.—
Dr. Jenny Woo,
CNBC,
14 June 2025
Noun
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Such apprehension to hire is consistent with fears from small companies that import a lot of their goods that they will be hurt by President Donald Trump’s tariffs .—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
4 June 2025
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During the apprehension, a regional police officer suffered a minor injury.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
4 June 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Apprehensiveness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apprehensiveness. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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