apprehension

[ ap-ri-hen-shuhn ]

/ ˌæp rɪˈhɛn ʃən /

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See synonyms for apprehension on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

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

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

a view, opinion, or idea on any subject.

the act of arresting; seizure: Police apprehension of the burglar was aided by two alert teenagers.

OTHER WORDS FOR apprehension

1 alarm, worry, uneasiness; suspicion.

5 capture.

See synonyms for apprehension on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR apprehension

1 composure, tranquility.

5 release.

See antonyms for apprehension on Thesaurus.com

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of apprehension

1350–1400; Middle English (<Old French ) <Late Latin apprehēnsiōn- (stem of apprehēnsiō), equivalent to apprehens- (see apprehensible) + -iōn--ion

synonym study for apprehension

1. 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.

OTHER WORDS FROM apprehension

non·ap·pre·hen·sion, nouno·ver·ap·pre·hen·sion, nounpre·ap·pre·hen·sion, nounre·ap·pre·hen·sion, noun

Words nearby apprehension

appreciation, appreciative, appreciatory, apprehend, apprehensible, apprehension, apprehensive, apprentice, apprenticeship, appressed, appressorium

How to use apprehension in a sentence

Though shy at first, I learned to convey emotions without apprehension.
She’s 90 and Italian. I’m in my 30s and half Indian. Here’s why we’re the closest of friends.|Raj Tawney|January 27, 2021|Washington Post
Winner was also left with no time to strategize with a lawyer before her speedy apprehension, she noted.
Laura Poitras says she’s been fired by First Look Media over Reality Winner controversy. Now she’s questioning the company’s integrity.|Sarah Ellison|January 14, 2021|Washington Post
There seemed to have been a lot of apprehension about the blue wave—and we didn’t quite get the blue wave, if you will.
It’s officially a blue wave. What that historically means for stocks|Anne Sraders|January 7, 2021|Fortune
It’s an inevitability of the pandemic, and it’s a constant source of apprehension.
The Cleveland Browns were an NFL feel-good story. Then the coronavirus got jealous.|Jerry Brewer|January 6, 2021|Washington Post

At the time, there was mild apprehension—but much changed that week.
Is indoor dining safe? Five health experts weigh in.|By Laurie Archbald-Pannone Et Al./The Conversation|January 6, 2021|Popular-Science
There may even be a physiological basis to our apprehension about the “other.”
Ferguson, Immigration, and ‘Us Vs. Them’|Gene Robinson|November 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Did you have any apprehension as far as playing Nancy again?
Jessica Alba on 'Sin City,' Typecasting, and How Homophobia Pushed Her Away From the Church|Marlow Stern|August 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They never procure them without exertion, and they never indulge in them without apprehension.
Why Kids Are Making Us Crazy|James Poulos|March 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Soon Arab-American and Muslim-American groups joined in expressing their apprehension.
Hollywood’s Major Muslim Problem Doesn't End With 'Alice in Arabia'|Dean Obeidallah|March 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Of course, there is plenty to celebrate, but there is an unmistakable sense of apprehension hanging over the anniversary.
World Wide Web Turns 25|Nico Hines|March 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The mother played her accompaniments and at the same time watched her daughter with greedy admiration and nervous apprehension.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
Hilda took the letter with apprehension, as she recognized the down-slanting calligraphy of Sarah Gailey.
Hilda Lessways|Arnold Bennett
The apprehension that God will punish for not making fulfilment to him accompanies equally the oath and the vow.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham
He gave so violent a start, his face expressed so much of apprehension and dismay, that I stared at him blankly.
Uncanny Tales|Various
Not merely must there be a desire to perform the service; but there must be an enlightened apprehension of its nature.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham

British Dictionary definitions for apprehension

apprehension

/ (ˌæprɪˈhɛnʃən) /

noun

fear or anxiety over what may happen

the act of capturing or arresting

the faculty of comprehending; understanding

a notion or conception

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

apprehension

OTHER WORDS FOR apprehension

OPPOSITES FOR apprehension

Origin of apprehension

synonym study for apprehension

OTHER WORDS FROM apprehension

Words nearby apprehension

Words related to apprehension

How to use apprehension in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for apprehension