apprehension
She felt a sense of apprehension before her job interview.
She was anxious before her interview.
Anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen.
The students waited in apprehension for their exam results.
The students were anxious while waiting for their results.
He had no apprehension about speaking in public.
He was not afraid to speak in public.
Often used in formal or literary contexts. Can imply a vague sense of unease rather than a specific fear.
The act of understanding or grasping something mentally.
The psychologist studied the patient's apprehension of complex ideas.
The psychologist examined how the patient understood complex concepts.
Less common in everyday speech; primarily used in academic or technical contexts.
Collocations
Synonyms
Pro Tip
Avoid confusion with 'apprehend'
'Apprehension' is a noun, while 'apprehend' is a verb meaning to understand or arrest. Remember: 'apprehension' is the feeling, not the action.
Gold Rule
Use 'apprehension' for rational fear
Unlike 'panic' or 'terror,' apprehension suggests a measured, anticipatory anxiety about future events. It’s often used when the fear is based on logical reasoning.
Word Origin
From Latin apprehēnsio, from apprehendere 'to seize, grasp' (from ad- 'to' + prehendere 'to grasp'). Originally referred to both mental understanding and physical seizure, later shifting to mean fear or anxiety.
Usage Notes
Apprehension is a nuanced word that implies a forward-looking fear rather than immediate panic. It often suggests a rational anticipation of possible negative outcomes. In legal contexts, 'apprehension' can also mean arrest or capture.