trepidation

noun

trep·​i·​da·​tion ˌtre-pə-ˈdā-shən How to pronounce trepidation (audio)
1
: a nervous or fearful feeling of uncertain agitation : apprehension
trepidation about starting a new job
2
archaic : a tremulous motion : tremor

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Trepidation Has Latin Roots

If you've ever trembled with fright, you know something of both the sensation and etymology of trepidation. The word comes from the Latin verb trepidare, which means "to tremble." Early meanings of trepidation, such as "tremulous motion" or "tremor," reflect that origin; those are followed by the word's sense of "apprehension."

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 What’s more, with the price tag of a comfortable retirement surpassing $1 million, Gen X is looking at the long road out of the working world with some understandable trepidation. Chloe Berger, Fortune, 27 Feb. 2024 In her November Variety cover story, Barrino talked about her trepidation in returning to the role of Celie. Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 9 Feb. 2024 As streaming got bigger, watching sports got harder News of the app brings the same type of trepidation that typically comes with mega corporations embarking on business together. Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 7 Feb. 2024 News that OnePlus is back with a second-gen smartwatch fills me with trepidation, but on paper, the updates seem promising. Victoria Song, The Verge, 26 Feb. 2024 The process of letting love in after the death of a spouse or partner can be fraught with trepidation, uncertainty and a deep sense of loss. Mark Travers, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 In her lengthy caption, Herron took a minute to share some of her trepidations over being pregnant again after losing son Oliver, who was born at 24 weeks, in Jan. 2023. Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 13 Feb. 2024 Jamie Dubuque faces the future with a mixture of gratitude and trepidation. Ed Silverman Reprints, STAT, 18 Dec. 2023 The following tips will help ease your child’s trepidations and pave the way to a lifetime of good oral hygiene. Bevone Ritchie, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'trepidation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

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Dictionary Entries Near trepidation

Cite this Entry

“Trepidation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trepidation. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

trepidation

noun
trep·​i·​da·​tion ˌtrep-ə-ˈdā-shən How to pronounce trepidation (audio)
: a state of alarm or nervousness
approached the abandoned house with trepidation

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