apprehensive
Anxious or worried about something that may happen in the future
Examples
In a meeting
“The team is apprehensive about the upcoming organizational changes.”
Over coffee
“I'm a bit apprehensive about meeting his parents for the first time.”
Why this word
anxious
apprehensive specifically means fearful about something that might happen in the future, while anxious describes general worry or unease
worried
apprehensive emphasizes anticipatory fear or unease about a specific event, while worried is broader about mental concern
nervous
apprehensive focuses on fear of future outcomes, while nervous describes immediate physical and mental tension
Usage tip
Use to describe anticipatory anxiety about future events. More specific than 'nervous' and implies uncertainty about outcomes.
Etymology
Latin 'apprehendere' (ad- 'to' + prehendere 'seize'), originally meaning 'to grasp or understand'
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Related words
tentative
Not certain or fixed; provisional
tenuous
Very weak, slight, or uncertain
tentatively
In a hesitant or uncertain manner, subject to change
evoke
To bring a feeling, memory, or image into the mind
resent
To feel bitterness or indignation toward something or someone
placate
To make someone less angry or hostile through appeasement