1 trepidation | Definition of trepidation
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

trepidation

noun
trep·​i·​da·​tion | \ ˌtre-pə-ˈdā-shən How to pronounce trepidation (audio) \

Definition of trepidation

1 : a nervous or fearful feeling of uncertain agitation : apprehension trepidation about starting a new job
2 archaic : a tremulous motion : tremor
Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Trepidation Has Latin Roots More Example Sentences Learn More about trepidation

Keep scrolling for more

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

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." When it first appeared in English in the early 1600s, it meant "tremulous motion" or "tremor." Around the same time, English speakers also started using the "nervous agitation" sense of trepidation that we use today.

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
See More

Recent Examples on the Web

 Users may have trepidation about how their personal data might be compromised based on security breaches reported over the last year. — Tom Hoffarth, Los Angeles Times, "Column: Dodgers games on YouTube give fans what Big Cable won’t," 11 Aug. 2019 At first the apes approached the drum with trepidation, but once the researchers and zoo staff started demonstrating, the bonobos were rapt. — Quanta Magazine, "The Beasts That Keep the Beat," 22 Mar. 2016 At the same time, insiders at Anonymous express trepidation about its future in the wake of the April death of founder Steve Golin and believe Jobs is poised to assert more control. — Tatiana Siegel, The Hollywood Reporter, "For Hollywood Talent Managers, Outside Investors Bring Issues of Control," 31 July 2019 The change may be met with trepidation, excitement, anxiety, and uncertainty. — Caryn M. Sullivan, Twin Cities, "Caryn Sullivan: Mental illness: Breaking the silence and making a plan," 9 June 2019 But the Warriors understood there was little time for trepidation. — Jeremy Woo, SI.com, "Klay Thompson's New Deal Helps Warriors Cope With Loss of Kevin Durant," 30 June 2019 The general atmosphere going into them is one of trepidation alternating with bemusement. — Eric Lach, The New Yorker, "Can Michael Bennet Climb Out of the Second Tier at the Democratic Debates?," 26 June 2019 Despite serious trepidation, Isabella joined the family business and quickly started suggesting changes. — Glenn Rifkin, BostonGlobe.com, "How Italy’s agriturismo movement gave rise to The Isabella Experience," 18 June 2019 Despite initial trepidations, the territory, like the West, had hoped its engagement with mainland China would have a positive, democratizing effect. — Laignee Barron / Hong Kong, Time, "How the Tiananmen Square Massacre Changed China Forever," 4 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'trepidation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of trepidation

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 2

History and Etymology for trepidation

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

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for trepidation

trepidation

noun
How to pronounce trepidation (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of trepidation

formal : a feeling of fear that causes you to hesitate because you think something bad or unpleasant is going to happen

See the full definition for trepidation in the English Language Learners Dictionary

trepidation

noun
trep·​i·​da·​tion | \ ˌtre-pə-ˈdā-shən How to pronounce trepidation (audio) \

Kids Definition of trepidation

: a state of alarm or nervousness The boys approached the abandoned house with trepidation.

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on trepidation

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with trepidation

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for trepidation

Spanish Central: Translation of trepidation

Nglish: Translation of trepidation for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of trepidation for Arabic Speakers

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!