1
as in dread
suspicion or fear of future harm or misfortune
the hikers entered the dark cave with a great deal of apprehension
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of apprehension
The community includes undocumented migrants, asylum seekers and U.S. citizens, so apprehension over who will get to stay and for how long mixed with the pride of having pulled off a genuinely Guatemalan celebration some 2,500 miles away.
—
Giovanna Dell'orto, Twin Cities, 20 Jan. 2025
Internal Border Patrol figures show the agency has averaged just over 1,000 daily apprehensions in January, a nearly 90% drop from the record-setting month of December 2023, when an average of more than 8,000 migrants crossed in the U.S. illegally each day.
—Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 19 Jan. 2025
The report ranks these risks among the most significant long-term concerns, underscoring a growing apprehension about humanity’s ability to control the technologies that define this era.
—Jason Snyder, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
That pipeline — from city jails to ICE custody — led to a sharp increase in ICE apprehensions in New York, fueling outcry from Democrats who argued that the city should not be using its resources to help the federal government deport people.
—Luis Ferré-Sadurní, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for apprehension 
Giovanna Dell'orto, Twin Cities, 20 Jan. 2025
Internal Border Patrol figures show the agency has averaged just over 1,000 daily apprehensions in January, a nearly 90% drop from the record-setting month of December 2023, when an average of more than 8,000 migrants crossed in the U.S. illegally each day.
—Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 19 Jan. 2025
The report ranks these risks among the most significant long-term concerns, underscoring a growing apprehension about humanity’s ability to control the technologies that define this era.
—Jason Snyder, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
That pipeline — from city jails to ICE custody — led to a sharp increase in ICE apprehensions in New York, fueling outcry from Democrats who argued that the city should not be using its resources to help the federal government deport people.
—Luis Ferré-Sadurní, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for apprehension
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apprehension
Noun
-
The image of crew member Frank Silva, spontaneously recruited to play the murderous demon Bob, at the foot of Laura’s bed instills an overwhelming sense of dread, even as a static screenshot.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
16 Jan. 2025
-
The thought of returning to the beach filled her with dread.—
Lila Shapiro,
Vulture,
13 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Eleven of the Colombians would seek refuge at the nearby Taiwanese Embassy, only to end up under arrest.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
26 Jan. 2025
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Years later, investigators are still searching for suspects — and a motive It’s now been more than seven years since Maggie Long’s killing, and there have been no arrests.—
Faith Karimi,
CNN,
26 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The worker said colleagues were concerned about using social media or their phones, even personal ones, for fear they are being monitored or tapped.—
Suzanne Gamboa,
NBC News,
23 Jan. 2025
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But this progress was not inevitable; it was forged through struggle and the determination to rise above fear and division.—
John Hope Bryant,
TIME,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The initiative follows last year's discovery of this phenomenon, which defies the traditional scientific understanding of how life on Earth may have started.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
20 Jan. 2025
-
His on-ice know-how, timing and understanding of spacing take over from there.—
Scott Wheeler,
The Athletic,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Washington does not share this worry, Zelenskyy claimed.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
21 Jan. 2025
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While markets often climb a wall of worry, this wall looks more like a cliff.—
Bob Haber,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
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And recently thousands of physicians and others in health care have signed onto letters echoing these concerns.—
Will Stone,
NPR,
28 Jan. 2025
-
Lifting their lips Growling Baring their teeth Addressing Resource Guarding If a dog displays resource guarding, owners are encouraged to consult a veterinarian to rule out underlying medical issues, as behavioral changes or aggression could indicate health concerns.—
Barbara A. Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Yet not a sound emerges from the baying mob, which has been instructed to pantomime their appreciation noiselessly.—
Charlie Campbell,
TIME,
24 Jan. 2025
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Actress and comedian Mindy Kaling, 45, who is friends with Teigen and husband John Legend, 46, added her own appreciation of Luna.—
Clare Fisher,
People.com,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Participating in rituals and routine has been shown to provide solace against anxiety and grief.—
Christina Pérez,
Vogue,
29 Jan. 2025
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The students who had higher anxiety tended to be those who treated their pets more like friends or family.—
Jonathan Granoff,
Newsweek,
29 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near apprehension
Cite this Entry
“Apprehension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apprehension. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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