trepidation

noun

trep·i·da·tion ˌtre-pə-ˈdā-shən

Synonyms of trepidation

: a nervous or fearful feeling of uncertain agitation : apprehension

trepidation about starting a new job

archaic : a tremulous motion : tremor

Choose the Right Synonym for trepidation

fear, dread, fright, alarm, panic, terror, trepidation mean painful agitation in the presence or anticipation of danger.

fear is the most general term and implies anxiety and usually loss of courage.

fear of the unknown

dread usually adds the idea of intense reluctance to face or meet a person or situation and suggests aversion as well as anxiety.

faced the meeting with dread

fright implies the shock of sudden, startling fear.

fright at being awakened suddenly

alarm suggests a sudden and intense awareness of immediate danger.

view the situation with alarm

panic implies unreasoning and overmastering fear causing hysterical activity.

the news caused widespread panic

terror implies the most extreme degree of fear.

immobilized with terror

trepidation adds to dread the implications of timidity, trembling, and hesitation.

raised the subject with trepidation

Examples of trepidation in a Sentence

In the first minutes, hours, or even days of fieldwork most researchers feel trepidation about being an outsider, a stranger on the scene … —Marie D. Price, Geographical Review, January-April 2001

This was an ambitious project, and a number of us felt some trepidation about the possible results. —Brian Phillips, New Republic, 13 Dec. 1999

I came aboard the 319 with trepidation, to join the lives of utter strangers, a man untried by the circumstances they had known. —Henry G. Bugbee, Jr., "Naval History," in Authors at Sea, Robert Shenk, ed., 1997

He had some trepidation about agreeing to their proposal. shaking with trepidation, I stepped into the old abandoned house

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

So with similar gusto − and a little trepidation − Maccubbin took another revolutionary step: launching the District of Columbia’s first Pride celebration. —Susan Miller, USA Today, 6 June 2025 Despite decades of acclaim as an actress, Mia Farrow went into her role in the Broadway play The Roommate last fall with some trepidation. —Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 31 May 2025 Met by some with cautious optimism, others with trepidation, and others with doomsday predictions, there is no doubt that AI is here to stay and changing work in ways yet to be fully revealed. —Laurel Donnellan, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025 But the scene is indicative of the trepidation hanging over bars and restaurants across the country following President Donald Trump’s re-election. —Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 28 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for trepidation

Word History

Etymology

Latin trepidation-, trepidatio, from trepidare to tremble, from trepidus agitated; probably akin to Old English thrafian to urge, push, Greek trapein to press grapes

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler

The first known use of trepidation was in 1605

See more words from the same year