# apprehension

/ˌæpɹɪˈhɛnʃən/ (US) · /ˌæpɹɪhˈɛnʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/apprehension
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. anxiety or fear

noun · CEFR B2

a feeling of worry or fear that something bad will happen in the future.

For teachers: anxiety or fear that something unpleasant or undesirable will occur.

- She felt a sense of apprehension as she walked into the interview room.
- Despite the positive economic forecasts, a lingering sense of apprehension remained among the staff regarding the upcoming merger.

### 2. legal arrest

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

the act of the police catching and arresting someone.

For teachers: the act of arresting or capturing someone, particularly a criminal suspect.

- The police are offering a reward for information leading to the apprehension of the thief.
- The rapid apprehension of the suspects was credited to the seamless coordination between local law enforcement and federal agencies.

Usage: Often used in formal police reports or legal contexts.

### 3. understanding

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Academic

the ability to understand or grasp an idea.

For teachers: the cognitive act of understanding or perceiving the meaning of something.

- The student showed a clear apprehension of the difficult math concepts.
- Her quick apprehension of the complex legal framework allowed the firm to pivot its strategy before the deadline.

## Examples

- She felt a sense of apprehension before her big exam.
- Despite the positive economic reports, there was a growing sense of apprehension among investors about the upcoming election.
- The protagonist's deep-seated apprehension regarding the voyage is mirrored by the darkening skies and the increasingly turbulent waters described in the opening chapter.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.