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Showing results for apprehensive. Search instead for apprehensiv.
Definitions

apprehensive

[ap-ri-hen-siv] / ˌæp rɪˈhɛn sɪv /
ADJECTIVE
anxious, fearful
Synonyms
STRONGEST
afraid concerned doubtful jittery jumpy suspicious uncertain uneasy uptight
WEAK
alarmed biting nails butterflies disquieted feel in bones foreboding frozen get vibes have a hunch have cold feet have funny feeling have stage fright hung up in a cold sweat in a dither in a sweat lily-livered mistrustful running scared shaky stiff troubled weak worried worried sick
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm certain clear collected composed confident cool definite easygoing happy laid-back sure unquestionable
WEAK
at ease quiet unafraid undoubting unfearful unsuspicious unworried

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But for those of us who feel as if we’ve seen this movie before, it’s hard not to feel awfully apprehensive about how it all ends.

From Slate • Mar. 11, 2026

"It's long hours being a butcher and I'd like to spend time with my family. I'm a bit apprehensive, but it's the right thing to do."

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2026

Her apprehensive patient hits a breaking point nevertheless, frantically fleeing the exam room while Dana is procedurally required to remain.

From Salon • Feb. 26, 2026

The minutes, released Wednesday with a customary three-week lag, revealed that more officials were less worried about the labor market than they had been and more apprehensive about inflation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 18, 2026

The various teachers who used the room were uneasy—you could tell they were apprehensive.

From "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier