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
These are recent print headlines in the Tribune referring to the apprehension of migrants, indicating that federal immigration agents are coming to take away every man, woman and child who are here illegally.
—
Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025
But Customs and Border Protection's recent numbers have shown a sharp decrease in unauthorized apprehensions in the past six months.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 20 Jan. 2025
Zenon-Reyes fled the state to avoid apprehension, according to the release.
—Tracy Neal, arkansasonline.com, 9 Jan. 2025
Blevins is facing one count of desecrating human remains and another for hindering apprehension in connection with the case.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for apprehension 
Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025
But Customs and Border Protection's recent numbers have shown a sharp decrease in unauthorized apprehensions in the past six months.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 20 Jan. 2025
Zenon-Reyes fled the state to avoid apprehension, according to the release.
—Tracy Neal, arkansasonline.com, 9 Jan. 2025
Blevins is facing one count of desecrating human remains and another for hindering apprehension in connection with the case.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for apprehension
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apprehension
Noun
-
The plans put in place to find a positive way forward included the following: The Merrillville Advantage: A proactive approach of sharing the many positive attributes that a diverse student body could bring to the community instead of having an atmosphere of fear or dread.—
Dr. Tony Lux,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2025
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However, throngs of people wading into the Ganga often stoked the dread of infection and disease.—
Sudipta Sen,
The Conversation,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The nine hours of video obtained from the Miami-Dade state attorney’s office also include body camera video from the men’s arrests tied to state and federal cases in South Florida and New York.—
Chloe Atkins,
NBC News,
7 Feb. 2025
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What To Know Ocasio-Cortez spoke out against the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement, which has led to thousands of arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).—
Kristan Hawkins,
Newsweek,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Volodymyr Zelensky spoke in a week when a phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US counterpart Donald Trump raised fears in Kyiv that it was being frozen out of negotiations, with the White House also downplaying the prospects of Ukraine joining NATO.—
Caitlin Danaher,
CNN,
15 Feb. 2025
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People often dream of taking that leap, but many are hampered by the fears of what might be.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
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That judgment works for me, but of course in their lively custom NR readers should feel free to improve my understanding of the matter in the comments section.—
Neal B. Freeman,
National Review,
11 Feb. 2025
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Loading your audio article New Yorkers may soon have a much better understanding of how the NYPD uses technology to conduct surveillance, track cell phones and maintain its facial recognition database.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Eventually, optimism and relief won over fears and worries, rallying stocks.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
14 Feb. 2025
-
Democrats have criticized the group’s reach, expressing worry that Musk has too much control over governmental operations.—
Ross O'Keefe,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
12 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Following a similar antisemitic rant in 2022, which raised concerns for West’s mental wellbeing, the artist released an apology in Hebrew the next year.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
9 Feb. 2025
-
Several House Democrats were already dissatisfied with the way social equity protections had played out for marijuana and shared Johnson’s concerns about the impact on small businesses.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2025
Noun
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On February 14, the Adams County SPCA based in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, shared a heartfelt statement on Facebook, expressing their deep appreciation for the community's incredible generosity.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
17 Feb. 2025
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Another cast member like Hartman or Bill Hader who provided a reliably hilarious center to countless sketches, Maya Rudolph has found a second wind of appreciation in the 2020s with her Emmy-winning stint as Vice President Kamala Harris.—
Dennis Perkins,
EW.com,
16 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Yes, but: Heightened anxiety amid the administration's immigration crackdown has triggered dips in school attendance nationwide.—
Alex Golden,
Axios,
11 Feb. 2025
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The headline result here is pretty clear: people who are more physically active are less likely to suffer from depression and anxiety now and in the future.—
Alex Hutchinson,
Outside Online,
9 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near apprehension
Cite this Entry
“Apprehension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apprehension. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
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