apprehension

noun

ˌa-pri-ˈhen(t)-shən How to pronounce apprehension (audio)
Definition of apprehensionnext
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

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Robinson, 59, of Churchill, Pennsylvania, is the managing attorney at a Pittsburgh law firm, and has been charged with felony tampering and hindering apprehension for trying to conceal evidence. — Mike Darnay, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026 But the recent drone attacks and the Polish government's efforts to prepare the population for further serious incidents have brought a new sense of apprehension — and also confusion — among locals. — ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026 That apprehension was reflected in the mood of voters in Moscow on a cold, crisp September day a week before the elections. — Zahra Ullah, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026 Licata in particular prepared for apprehension from the moment TEA Commissioner Mike Morath appointed him as the district’s leader. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for apprehension
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apprehension
  1. dread
  2. arrest
  3. fear
  4. understanding
  5. worry
  6. concern
  7. appreciation
  8. anxiety
Noun
  • Artificial is pointedly funnier than his other work, including a large comedic performance by Ike Barinholtz as Musk, even as an existential dread permeates.
    — E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Audiences can expect natural richness, such as underwater images of glistening shellfish, to encounter ecological dread.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of dread
Noun
  • The casing is consistent with the same caliber of weapon that Jones had in his possession when police took him into custody, a Fort Worth Police Department homicide unit detective wrote in an arrest warrant affidavit.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Ormond’s lawyers asked the judge in the case to issue an arrest warrant and to hold Ovitz in contempt.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of arrest
Noun
  • Residents say Ethiopian federal forces retook Mekelle’s airport from Tigrayan fighters, but communications blackouts and fear of reprisals have left unclear who controls Tigray’s capital city.
    — Rodney Muhumuza, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The book offers creative ways to manage fear and negativity — like pretend-flushing your mistakes down the toilet — before, during and after a high-stakes task.
    — Lennon Sherburne, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of fear
Noun
  • Reports of Muse sharing a user’s home address with a prospective buyer and accessing private messages despite the user’s understanding of permissions illustrate those concerns.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • And over time, interest from generalists in understanding and treating opioid use disorder does appear to have increased, Bagley said.
    — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of understanding
Noun
  • The euro sank to its lowest level against the dollar since May 2025 over Spain’s snap elections added to mounting fiscal and political worries across the region.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Such strong growth is what’s allowed stocks to rally near records despite a long list of worries and challenges.
    — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of worry
Noun
  • Bird has concerns, particularly around the build-up of power around technological advancements, which push the film into surprising and exciting dystopian directions.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
  • By that point, family members of those on board had raised concerns about dwindling food supplies and low morale.
    — Mosheh Gains, NBC news, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of concern
Noun
  • Both father and son expressed an appreciation for Korean cinema.
    — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Growing up down south forever shapes your language, work ethic, appreciation for how hard life can be and so much more.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of appreciation
Noun
  • And three, sometimes four, of those many waking hours are spent in the car — bouncing from home to school to her second or third job and home again — with music at full blast to drown out the babble of anxiety, most of it financial.
    — Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2026
  • This can help decrease anxiety and increase confidence by removing the pressure of one ideal performance and shifting focus to the present moment.
    — Lennon Sherburne, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of anxiety

Browse Nearby Words

apprehensible
apprehension
apprehensions
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Apprehension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apprehension. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on apprehension

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about apprehension

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All