TREPIDATION Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

trepidation

noun

ˌtre-pə-ˈdā-shən

Definition of trepidation next

as in fear

the emotion experienced in the presence or threat of danger shaking with trepidation, I stepped into the old abandoned house

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Colorado's beer industry enters 2025 with trepidation, looking for a way forward after difficult financial years. —

John Frank, Axios, 2 Jan. 2025 The nondescript restaurant at 408 E. 63rd St. opened as the pandemic hit, then temporarily closed as the city shuttered and (most) people were filled with trepidation. —

Katie Moore, Kansas City Star, 2 Jan. 2025 In the previous quarter, Costco saw sales increase, but not as high as Wall Street had expected, suggesting consumers were spending with trepidation. —

Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024 Any potential traveler to Antarctica who gets even the slightest bit queasy in rough waters views a sail to the White Continent with trepidation. —

Laurie Werner, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for trepidation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for trepidation

Noun

Such cars, known as EREVs, are popular in China, the world’s biggest electric car market, and promise to eliminate range anxiety for EV owners, or the fear that one will get stranded when the battery dies.

— Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 4 Feb. 2025
The fear of the image is something stronger than your own anxiousness.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 4 Feb. 2025