Apprehensive

Adjective

Definition: Anxious or fearful that something bad or unpleasant will happen.

Synonyms: Anxious, Worried, Concerned, Uneasy

Antonyms: Confident, Eager, Enthusiastic

Examples:
  • She felt apprehensive about performing on stage.
  • The students were apprehensive about the upcoming exam.
Mnemonics:
  • "Apprehensive" sounds similar to "apprehend," which means to grasp or catch someone. When you are apprehensive, you are grasping or catching on to anxiety or fear.

Etymology:

Origin:

Late Middle English, from Latin 'apprehensivus', from the verb 'apprehendere' (to seize, grasp, or understand).

Historical Usage:

The term has been used in English since the late 14th century and has retained its meaning of fear or anxiety throughout its history.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"Apprehensive about the future"

Explanation:

This phrase conveys the feeling of anxiety or fear related to something that is yet to come.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Confusing "apprehensive" with "comprehensive."

Explanation:

While the two words sound similar, they have different meanings. "Apprehensive" refers to a feeling of fear or anxiety, while "comprehensive" means complete or wide-ranging.

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