APPREHENSION Synonyms: 145 Similar and Opposite Words

apprehension

noun

ˌa-pri-ˈhen(t)-shən

Definition of apprehension

as in dread

suspicion or fear of future harm or misfortune the hikers entered the dark cave with a great deal of apprehension

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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

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 apprehension Newsom’s apprehensions mirrored some of those held by the CSU and UC systems, both of which have opposed the bills. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Powell admitted to some apprehension about reuniting with Wills, mostly because of the cameras, but Wills took control of the situation and helped him through it. — ArsTechnica, 20 Aug. 2026 From the energizing first news conference upon his return to the way the coaching staff and players reacted to both his Kansas City comeback and the tragic implications of his recent time away, those apprehensions seem unfounded. — Kansas City Star, 18 Aug. 2026 Paul Robinson, the father of a student who was accused with Abbatiello of being one of the ring’s two main suppliers, is charged with felony tampering, hindering apprehension and obstructing the investigation. — Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for apprehension

Recent Examples of Synonyms for apprehension

Noun

The joy Lisa has with her RHUGT cast compared with the dread her RHOSLC cast seems to bring her really bums me out — especially because of how much of this trip is championing the sisterhood of Housewives.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
Along with this came the profound dread that straight white men (like me) felt about saying a single wrong sentence and facing the possibility of permanent exile without forgiveness.

— Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of dread

Noun

During the arrest, Guerrero-Chavez began resisting, even slipping out of her handcuffs and attempting to run back to her vehicle, Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson said.

— Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026
Already in poor health upon arrest in 2011, Mladic is believed to have suffered multiple strokes during his years on the run and was hospitalized on several occasions while in custody.

— Jovana Gec, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of arrest

Noun

As families wait for news about their relatives, damaged roads, power outages and fears of further flooding have hampered rescue efforts.

— Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
The announcement is spurring fears of a fresh wave of Canadian travelers steering clear of the US.

— Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of fear

Noun

The pair came away from that incident, and more subtle slights (like having to wait 20 minutes to be seated in a mostly empty restaurant), with a better understanding of each other.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Price and Felton each took steps this offseason in their schematic understanding and trustworthiness as pass catchers.

— Alec Lewis, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of understanding

Noun

Solar attracted the most investment among renewable energy subsectors during the first six months of the year as countries rush to build capacity as worries grow that global wars will continue squeezing energy supplies.

— Eugenia Perozo, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026
Research shows, however, that the public is always a little bit concerned about corruption, and that these worries often do not correspond with particular actions by politicians.

— Robert Boatright, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of worry

Noun

Other areas of concern are the library system's self-check-out kiosks, instances in which minor teenagers handle materials while working or volunteering at a branch, and platforms for loaning electronic materials, Adams said.

— Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 28 Aug. 2026
Clever and snappy, fresh and silly, a winning combination of classic Looney Tunes gags and contemporary concerns (the press notes mention many influences including, no joke, The Insider).

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of concern

Browse Nearby Words

apprehensible

apprehension

apprehensions

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“Apprehension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apprehension. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of apprehension

noun

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