apprehension

[ap-ri-hen-shuhn]

noun

1. anticipation of adversity or misfortune; suspicion or fear of future trouble or evil.

   Synonyms: suspicion, uneasiness, worry, alarm
   Antonyms: tranquility, composure

2. the faculty or act of apprehending or understanding; perception on a direct and immediate level.

3. acceptance of or receptivity to information without passing judgment on its validity, often without complete comprehension.

4. a view, opinion, or idea on any subject.

5. the act of arresting; seizure.

   Police apprehension of the burglar was aided by two alert teenagers.

   Synonyms: capture
   Antonyms: release

apprehension

/ ˌæprɪˈhɛnʃən /

noun

1. fear or anxiety over what may happen

2. the act of capturing or arresting

3. the faculty of comprehending; understanding

4. a notion or conception

Other Word Forms

• nonapprehension noun
• overapprehension noun
• preapprehension noun
• reapprehension noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of apprehension¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Old French, from Late Latin apprehēnsiōn-, stem of apprehēnsiō, from apprehēns(us) “grasped” (past participle of apprehendere “to grasp”; apprehend ) + -iō -ion

Synonym Study

Apprehension, anxiety, misgiving imply an unsettled and uneasy state of mind. Apprehension is an active state of fear, usually of some danger or misfortune: apprehension before opening a telegram. Anxiety is a somewhat prolonged state of apprehensive worry: anxiety because of a reduced income. Misgiving implies a dubious uncertainty or suspicion, as well as uneasiness: to have misgivings about the investment.

Example Sentences

Tell someone about “The Cortège,” and it may inspire as much apprehension as it does curiosity.

From Los Angeles Times

To the 73 million Americans whose financial lives depend on the viability of Social Security, those first months were a seesaw of apprehension and rumor.

From Salon

Saying he was shaken by his friend’s apprehension, Franco advised everyone to “be careful in general, whether you’re undocumented or not.”

From Los Angeles Times

“In Los Angeles right now — today, as a matter of fact — we have agents out on the streets right now making apprehensions, as you and I are speaking,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

It also marked this Indian young team's transition from apprehension and misgivings one of rich promise fuelled by ambition and excellence.

From BBC

Related Words

• alarm 
• disquiet 
• doubt 
• dread 
• foreboding 
• misgiving 
• mistrust 
• suspicion 
• trepidation 
• uneasiness www.thesaurus.com
• worry