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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Schools were previously somewhat protected from immigration enforcement, but are now open to ICE, leading some immigrant students and families to feel heightened anxiety and fear in the pursuit of education.—
Racquel Bazos,
Baltimore Sun,
12 Mar. 2025 -
Some other common reasons behind these behaviors include teething; fears and phobias; and social isolation or boredom; among others.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Over the past few weeks, my family has watched with dread as the Trump administration has closed the borders of the United States to asylum seekers and refugees just like in World War II.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Feb. 2025
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For many, there's a feeling of dread associated with software updates to your favorite gadget.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
Ars Technica,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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For observers in Connecticut, that raises more concerns for the next school year.—
Jessika Harkay,
Hartford Courant,
17 Mar. 2025
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Recent layoffs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, coupled with potential cuts and drastic changes to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, have sparked widespread concern about the nation’s ability to respond to severe weather and natural disasters.—
Robert Shackelford,
CNN,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Some patients who try to quit benzodiazepines suffer extreme anxiety, memory loss and intense physical pain.—
Alex Knapp,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
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Extreme deficits may lead to obsessive food tracking, anxiety around eating, or disordered eating patterns.—
Heather Jones,
Verywell Health,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Trade tensions and signs of slowing growth have led to worries that a recession could be looming.—
Auzinea Bacon,
CNN,
9 Mar. 2025
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Those worries were only amplified by his State of the Union speech.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA TODAY,
8 Mar. 2025
Noun
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As policy stances shift constantly, families are left with a sense of unease and confusion that is confounded by the stress of adjusting to their new lives.—
Clara-Sophia Daly,
Miami Herald,
19 Mar. 2025
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As Khalil’s arrest in New York casts confusion and unease, educators and international students in the Chicago area and beyond are sounding the alarm and bracing for unprecedented intellectual repression.—
Zareen Syed,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
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With uncertainty because of tariffs already rattling markets, a government shutdown could prove disastrous.—
JJ Kinahan,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
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Subscribe Tech stocks in Europe pulled back 3.1% at 4.16 p.m. London time, following their U.S. counterparts, which were down amid uncertainty over the impact of U.S. tariffs on the outlook for the world’s largest economy.—
Chloe Taylor,Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Police said they were assisted in the apprehension by the U.S. Marshals Service Violent Fugitive Task Force and the Connecticut State Police BSI East Joint Task Force.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
14 Mar. 2025
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But despite the apprehensions, other leaders avoid the language of superintelligence and existential risk, focusing instead on the positive upside.—
Tharin Pillay,
TIME,
13 Mar. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Apprehensiveness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apprehensiveness. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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