trepidation
noun
trep·i·da·tion
ˌtre-pə-ˈdā-shən 
1
: a nervous or fearful feeling of uncertain agitation : apprehension
trepidation about starting a new job
Did you know?
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."
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
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
Rhian Wilkinson’s appointment late the following month was met with excitement and trepidation.
—Megan Feringa, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
Social service workers reported a climate of anxiety and trepidation among clients.
—Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2025
The truce and release of hostages sparked hope and trepidation among Israelis.
—Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2025
Cell phone bans in school are ramping up as more states consider policies that have been cheered by many educators but still face trepidation from parents.
—Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 18 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trepidation
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Megan Feringa, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
Social service workers reported a climate of anxiety and trepidation among clients.
—Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2025
The truce and release of hostages sparked hope and trepidation among Israelis.
—Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2025
Cell phone bans in school are ramping up as more states consider policies that have been cheered by many educators but still face trepidation from parents.
—Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 18 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trepidation
Cite this Entry
“Trepidation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trepidation. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
trepidation
noun
trep·i·da·tion
ˌtrep-ə-ˈdā-shən
: a state of alarm or nervousness
approached the abandoned house with trepidation
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