TREPIDATION Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'trepidation' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of trepidation are alarm , dread , fear , fright , panic , and terror . While all these words mean "painful agitation in the presence or anticipation of danger," trepidation adds to dread the implications of timidity, trembling, and hesitation. // raised the subject with trepidation

Q: When would 'alarm' be a good substitute for 'trepidation'?

While the synonyms alarm and trepidation are close in meaning, alarm suggests a sudden and intense awareness of immediate danger. // view the situation with alarm

Q: Where would 'dread' be a reasonable alternative to 'trepidation'?

The words dread and trepidation can be used in similar contexts, but dread usually adds the idea of intense reluctance to face or meet a person or situation and suggests aversion as well as anxiety. // faced the meeting with dread

Q: When might 'fear' be a better fit than 'trepidation'?

The meanings of fear and trepidation largely overlap; however, fear is the most general term and implies anxiety and usually loss of courage. // fear of the unknown

Q: When could 'fright' be used to replace 'trepidation'?

Although the words fright and trepidation have much in common, fright implies the shock of sudden, startling fear. // fright at being awakened suddenly

Q: When is 'panic' a more appropriate choice than 'trepidation'?

The synonyms panic and trepidation are sometimes interchangeable, but panic implies unreasoning and overmastering fear causing hysterical activity. // the news caused widespread panic

Q: When is it sensible to use 'terror' instead of 'trepidation'?

The words terror and trepidation are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, terror implies the most extreme degree of fear. // immobilized with terror

trepidation

noun

ˌtre-pə-ˈdā-shən

Definition of trepidation

as in fear

the emotion experienced in the presence or threat of danger shaking with trepidation, I stepped into the old abandoned house

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word trepidation distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of trepidation are alarm, dread, fear, fright, panic, and terror. While all these words mean "painful agitation in the presence or anticipation of danger," trepidation adds to dread the implications of timidity, trembling, and hesitation.

raised the subject with trepidation

When would alarm be a good substitute for trepidation?

While the synonyms alarm and trepidation are close in meaning, alarm suggests a sudden and intense awareness of immediate danger.

view the situation with alarm

Where would dread be a reasonable alternative to trepidation?

The words dread and trepidation can be used in similar contexts, but dread usually adds the idea of intense reluctance to face or meet a person or situation and suggests aversion as well as anxiety.

faced the meeting with dread

When might fear be a better fit than trepidation?

The meanings of fear and trepidation largely overlap; however, fear is the most general term and implies anxiety and usually loss of courage.

fear of the unknown

When could fright be used to replace trepidation?

Although the words fright and trepidation have much in common, fright implies the shock of sudden, startling fear.

fright at being awakened suddenly

When is panic a more appropriate choice than trepidation?

The synonyms panic and trepidation are sometimes interchangeable, but panic implies unreasoning and overmastering fear causing hysterical activity.

the news caused widespread panic

When is it sensible to use terror instead of trepidation?

The words terror and trepidation are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, terror implies the most extreme degree of fear.

immobilized with terror

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 trepidation The truce and release of hostages sparked hope and trepidation among Israelis. —Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2025 Cell phone bans in school are ramping up as more states consider policies that have been cheered by many educators but still face trepidation from parents. —Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 18 Jan. 2025 In the months since Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election in November, policymakers in Beijing have been looking to the next four years of U.S.-Chinese relations with trepidation. —Yun Sun, Foreign Affairs, 6 Feb. 2025 Fed officials have refrained from commenting directly on policy clashes in Washington, but have expressed a level of trepidation about trying to prejudge events. —Jeff Cox, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for trepidation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for trepidation

Noun

The country passed a law last month banning foreign political donations over fears about potential interference in this week’s vote.

— Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Mar. 2025
The bottom line: Before the latest wave of volatility and emergence of recession fears, America's most important corporate decision-makers were becoming more wary of the growth outlook.

— Neil Irwin, Axios, 12 Mar. 2025