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View synonyms for apprehensive

apprehensive

[ ap-ri-hen-siv ]

adjective

  1. uneasy or fearful about something that might happen:

    apprehensive for the safety of the mountain climbers.

  2. quick to learn or understand.
  3. perceptive; discerning (usually followed by of ).


apprehensive

/ ˌæprɪˈhɛnsɪv /

adjective

  1. fearful or anxious
“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


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Derived Forms

  • ˌappreˈhensiveness, noun
  • ˌappreˈhensively, adverb
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Other Words From

  • appre·hensive·ly adverb
  • appre·hensive·ness noun
  • nonap·pre·hensive adjective
  • over·appre·hensive adjective
  • over·appre·hensive·ly adverb
  • over·appre·hensive·ness noun
  • pseudo·appre·hensive adjective
  • pseudo·appre·hensive·ly adverb
  • unap·pre·hensive adjective
  • unap·pre·hensive·ly adverb
  • unap·pre·hensive·ness noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of apprehensive1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Medieval Latin word apprehēnsīvus. See apprehensible, -ive
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Example Sentences

I never felt apprehensive about calling parents and telling them our plans.

She wrote in an op-ed for The Washington Post she was apprehensive about it because other people at the Capitol might “flout social distancing and mask guidelines.”

If immigration matters seep into vaccine distribution, she argued, they may be equally apprehensive about getting their first or second shot.

This may be because they’re getting excited or apprehensive, and may also be the result of taking some deep breaths in preparation.

This unique technological solution has safeguarded Estonian voters against fraud, use of force, and other manipulations of remote voting that many American voters are apprehensive about in the 2020 US election.

Cuse: At first, I was a little apprehensive about jumping into a genre that seemed really overdone and overwrought.

At first, the couple is apprehensive, if not downright appalled.

He then jumps off a building to go fight crime, leaving Stacy totally smitten—and more than a little apprehensive.

You find yourself reading, impressed, entertained, identifying, yet vaguely repulsed and apprehensive for him.

Interpreters, feeling apprehensive about our departure, left to rejoin their families.

I am becoming seriously apprehensive about my Lines of Communication and am forced to let you know the state of affairs.

At first he became defiant, but presently he grew apprehensive, and on taking his leave he made a foul accusation against you.

Cordelia, only, cast an apprehensive glance over her shoulder.

Our arrival dissipated the anxiety of the men, who began to be apprehensive we were taken or killed by some of the savages.

This would not have been of so much consequence, perhaps, but that Matava became apprehensive that they might desert.

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apprehensionapprentice