apprehension meaning and examples

Meaning

Apprehension is a noun that has two main meanings:

1. A feeling of anxiety, fear, or worry about something that may happen in the future.
2. The act of understanding or grasping something mentally.
3. (Less common) The act of arresting or capturing someone.

Grammar and Usage

• Part of speech: Noun

• Common structures:

  • apprehension about + noun/verb-ing → expressing fear or anxiety.
  • with apprehension → describing how someone feels.
  • beyond one’s apprehension → too difficult to understand.
  • the apprehension of a suspect → formal/legal usage meaning "arrest."

Common Phrases

• filled with apprehension
• cause apprehension
• view with apprehension
• beyond apprehension
• the apprehension of the criminal

Collocations

• Verb + apprehension: feel apprehension, cause apprehension, express apprehension
• Adjective + apprehension: great apprehension, growing apprehension, deep apprehension
• Preposition + apprehension: with apprehension, about/over apprehension
• Apprehension + noun: apprehension of danger, apprehension of a suspect

Examples

1. She looked at the dark clouds with apprehension.
2. The students waited for their exam results in apprehension.
3. There is growing apprehension about the effects of climate change.
4. He entered the room with apprehension, unsure of what he would find.
5. The concept is beyond my apprehension.
6. The police announced the apprehension of the suspect last night.
7. Her voice was filled with apprehension as she asked about the future.
8. The soldiers faced the battle with a mix of courage and apprehension.
9. The sudden silence caused apprehension among the group.
10. His quick apprehension of the problem helped solve it faster.

Synonyms or Related

• Fear
• Anxiety
• Worry
• Concern
• Dread
• Misgiving
• Foreboding