trepidation

USAGE SUMMARY

'trepidation' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a noun that means a state of fear, anxiety, or alarm. You can use the word in any situation that expresses a feeling of fear or anxiety. For example: "The thought of starting a new job filled me with trepidation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The sense of trepidation we felt when we climbed over the stile and set off towards Alston along the south bank of the river Nent proved to be ill-founded: the hay meadow was as beautiful as it had been on our last visit, more than a decade ago.

The Guardian

So it is with some trepidation that we offer up this week's recipe.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This mighty feat (and Beckham's mighty feet) enabled Manchester United to relax after they had approached the ground in some trepidation following their surprise defeat in the first leg of the Champions Leaguee tie in Hungary.

The Guardian

There was, then, an understandable sense of trepidation in these parts ahead of Ayr United's visit.

The Guardian - Sport

Anyone who comes into this estate and takes it on will do so with trepidation".

The Guardian

You look forward in trepidation at the darkness of winter and yet you cannot stand still – it's getting too cold for that.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As a trainee, I would be filled with trepidation in case the next patient had a condition I knew nothing about.

The Guardian

There is a certain trepidation as to how these characters are going to take to the showgirls, a real life reflection of a similar scene in Priscilla.

The Guardian

What happens to him is like what happens to the straight audience – he mirrors the slight feeling of trepidation.

The Guardian - Film

When she won her party's leadership contest back in March, you could sense two conflicting reactions rippling through the Welsh nationalists' collective psyche: excitement about such a radical politician taking the top job; and from more conservative quarters, a real trepidation about what she might do with her new role.

The Guardian

School life as an Italian kid in an Anglo, well-to-do Sydney neighbourhood in the early 70s was a jarring mix of joy and trepidation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When choosing "trepidation", consider the formality of your writing; it's well-suited for professional, news, and academic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "trepidation" when a simpler term like "fear" or "anxiety" suffices. "Trepidation" implies a specific blend of fear and anticipation, so ensure it accurately reflects the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "trepidation" is that of a noun. As Ludwig AI points out, the word describes a state of fear, anxiety, or alarm. It typically functions as the subject or object of a sentence, or as the object of a preposition, modifying verbs and adjectives to specify the feeling of fearful anticipation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trepidation" is a grammatically correct noun that describes a state of fearful anticipation or anxiety, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is most commonly used in news and formal business contexts to convey a sense of unease about future events. While synonyms like "anxiety" and "fear" exist, "trepidation" adds a more specific nuance of anticipating something unpleasant. When using "trepidation", it's essential to consider the formality of the context and ensure that it accurately reflects the intended blend of fear and anticipation. Avoiding overuse in place of simpler terms will enhance clarity and precision in writing. "Trepidation" is a valuable tool for expressing nuanced emotions related to future events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

apprehension

Highlights the anticipation of something unpleasant happening, slightly more formal.

anxiety

Focuses on the feeling of worry or unease, omitting the element of fear.

dread

Implies intense fear or aversion to something anticipated, stronger emotion.

fear

Emphasizes the emotion of being afraid, more direct and less nuanced.

foreboding

Suggests a strong feeling that something bad is going to happen, more ominous.

unease

Implies a mild feeling of discomfort or anxiety, less intense.

nervousness

Highlights the state of being anxious or agitated, emphasizing physical symptoms.

misgiving

Focuses on a feeling of doubt or apprehension about the outcome, more about uncertainty.

worry

Centers on concern about potential problems, lacks the fear component.

qualm

Suggests a feeling of uneasiness or doubt about one's actions, related to conscience.

FAQs

How can I use "trepidation" in a sentence?

You can use "trepidation" to describe a feeling of fear or anxiety about something that is going to happen. For example: "She approached the interview with "considerable trepidation"." or "He viewed the upcoming surgery with "growing trepidation"."

What are some synonyms for "trepidation"?

Some synonyms for "trepidation" include "apprehension", "anxiety", "fear", "unease", and "dread". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "trepidation" and "anxiety"?

"Trepidation" specifically implies a feeling of fear or dread about something that is going to happen, combining fear with anticipation. "Anxiety" is a more general term for worry or unease, and doesn't necessarily involve a specific future event.

Is "trepidation" a formal word?

Yes, "trepidation" is generally considered a formal word. It is well-suited for academic writing, professional communication, and news articles. In more casual contexts, words like "anxiety" or "nervousness" may be more appropriate.