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

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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 His mother, Rachel Moser, 56, was charged with hindering the apprehension of a fugitive, obstruction, abuse of a corpse and conspiracy. — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026 Moser's mother, Rachel Moser, was charged with hindering the apprehension of a fugitive, tampering with evidence, and related charges. — Michael Guise, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026 Rachel Moser, 56, has been charged with hindering the apprehension of a fugitive, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, conspiracy to commit tampering with evidence, conspiracy to commit abuse of a corpse and obstruction of justice. — David K. Li, NBC news, 21 Aug. 2026 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 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

Johnson had also issued an arrest warrant against him in March, ruling him in contempt of court at that time over failing to turn over the financial documents, including state and federal tax returns along with bank statements and other filings.

— Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Sep. 2026
Zen's arrest at that time sent shock waves through the Catholic community.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 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

One wanted to build a machine to encourage a collective understanding of reality; the other a machine to dissolve trust.

— Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
The point, Forman suggested, was not to change anyone’s mind but to encourage better understanding and clearer thinking.

— Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of understanding

Noun

Bi is at work on a black gown with a veil, which Christian worries is taking up too much time.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
Meanwhile, worries over inflation, higher rates and high debt remain in focus, as benchmark borrowing costs around the world extend their multi-decade highs.

— Justina Lee, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of worry

Noun

While more than 100 law enforcement agencies across the country have ended their contracts with Flock Safety in recent weeks over privacy concerns, the company and the state of Georgia are deeply tied to one another.

— Irene Wright, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
And as a result, the data centers built to enable this growth have drawn scrutiny from communities and across party lines, including concerns over higher electric bills.

— Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 3 Sep. 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of apprehension

noun

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