apprehension
/æp.ɹɪˈhɛn.ʃən/
Group 26Difficulty 1/3
Definitions
- (noun)
- Anxiety or fear that something bad will happen; understanding or grasp GRE
- (noun)
- The arrest of a suspect
Example in Context
A growing sense of apprehension gripped the markets as the deadline for the trade deal approached without any sign of agreement.
Synonyms
fearanxietydread
Etymology
From Latin, meaning seizing an idea or feeling anxious about something.
- apprehendere (Latin) — to seize
Memory Aid
🍏Sounds like “apple hen shun”
Imagine an APPLE HEN SHUN that’s scared of being eaten — it’s full of APPREHENSION!
Visual Association
😟A student biting their nails nervously before a big exam, filled with anxious thoughts.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “apprehension” mean on the GRE?
apprehension (noun) means “Anxiety or fear that something bad will happen; understanding or grasp”. A growing sense of apprehension gripped the markets as the deadline for the trade deal approached without any sign of agreement.
How to remember “apprehension” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “apprehension” sounds like “apple hen shun”. Imagine an APPLE HEN SHUN that’s scared of being eaten — it’s full of APPREHENSION!
What are synonyms for “apprehension”?
Common synonyms: fear, anxiety, dread.