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

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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

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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

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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

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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 But young people’s confidence—and older generations’ apprehension—of the economy may be completely separate from job prospects and inflation, argued Francesco D’Acunto, a finance professor at Georgetown University. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026 Luckily, the portal unlocks your apprehensions and brings out the part of you that yearns to express yourself and achieve your passions. — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2026 But the best way for apprehension to dissipate, Dorsey-Hollins said, is for parents to start seeing results. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Aug. 2026 Ferguson pulls us into the moment with a look of apprehension. — Daron James, IndieWire, 31 July 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
  • On Widow’s Bay, a show currently decorated with 19 Emmy nominations, the line between cozy New England charm and creeping dread is often found in the details.
    — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Bauman and Ferguson worked closely to find ways of remaining faithful to the actual house’s architecture while using it as a storytelling tool to evoke a sense of dread and claustrophobia.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of dread
Noun
  • Featured as a success story Months before her recent UC Davis arrest, California featured the 20-year-old student as a success story – proof the program works.
    — Julie Watts August 20, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • According to Stéphane Thibault, Monaco’s top prosecutor, the state issued an international arrest warrant and notified Interpol late on Thursday evening.
    — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of arrest
Noun
  • The quake initially triggered fears of a tsunami, and a warning from Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency, issuing alerts to stay away from beaches and calls for people to evacuate.
    — Jason Volack, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Jacobita Cortes, a United Methodist pastor in Chicago, said that fear has changed the rhythms of her community.
    — Maria Santana, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of fear
Noun
  • Through that in-person interaction, team members can gain a better understanding of priorities, expectations and how decisions are made.
    — Don Weber, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The memorandum of understanding that Washington and Tehran signed on June 17 to open Hormuz expired on Monday without a final deal.
    — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of understanding
Noun
  • In recent weeks, family members of Lincoln service members voiced worries about deteriorating mental health conditions aboard the ship, as well as sanitary conditions and food shortages.
    — Khaled Wassef, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • That reflects how the world's second-largest economy remains insulated from global capital markets — and faces a deflationary environment, in contrast to inflation worries elsewhere.
    — Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of worry
Noun
  • The Lincoln has been at sea for an extended deployment during the Iran war, which sparked concerns among lawmakers and military families after reports of the crew’s worsening mental health and conditions aboard.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • In Utah, training starts with the basics of how AI works to teach an understanding of AI bias, hallucinations, ethical concerns and data privacy needs, Winters said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of concern
Noun
  • Fragrances play a vital role in both everyday life and special occasions, reflecting the region’s appreciation for sensory beauty and its long-standing influence on the global fragrance industry.
    — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • For the Ramona Branch, those opportunities are an important part of helping young people develop a lifelong appreciation for physical activity and healthy lifestyles, officials said.
    — Stephanie Ogilvie, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of appreciation
Noun
  • As economic anxiety reshapes American masculinity, a growing subculture of young and working-class men is turning to maxxing out their bodies as a way to reclaim value in a labor market that increasingly devalues physical work.
    — Michael Kimmel, Time, 15 Aug. 2026
  • In other writings found on her cellphone, Clancy detailed her anxiety and depression, challenges raising her children and her hesitation to take new medication.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of anxiety

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apprehensible
apprehension
apprehensions
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Cite this Entry

“Apprehension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apprehension. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on apprehension

Nglish: Translation of apprehension for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about apprehension

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