Trepidation is fear or anxiety about something that you are going to do or experience.
[formal]
It was with some trepidation that I viewed the prospect of cycling across Uganda.
Synonyms: anxiety, fear, worry, alarm More Synonyms of trepidation
trepidation in British English
(ˌtrɛpɪˈdeɪʃən)
noun
1.
a state of fear or anxiety
2.
a condition of quaking or palpitation, esp one caused by anxiety
Word origin
C17: from Latin trepidātiō, from trepidāre to be in a state of alarm; compare intrepid
trepidation in American English
(ˌtrɛpəˈdeɪʃən)
noun
1.
tremulous or trembling movement; quaking; tremor
2.
fearful uncertainty, anxiety, etc.; apprehension
Word origin
L trepidatio < trepidatus, pp. of trepidare, to tremble < trepidus, disturbed, alarmed < IE *trep-, to trip, tramp (< base *ter-, to tremble) > OE thrafian, to press
Examples of 'trepidation' in a sentence
trepidation
He will feel immense pride, and a little trepidation too.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Spin does not test your bravery like speed, but it can turn batsmen inside out and upside down with anxiety and trepidation.
The Sun (2016)
Perhaps this importance accounts for the sheer trepidation many feel as they walk up to the podium.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
England teams used to come here with fear and trepidation and little expectation.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It was business as usual, despite the trepidation and fear surrounding the resurrected grand prix.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It doesn't come without a bit of fear and trepidation.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The England players are feeling excitement but also a little trepidation because we are entering the unknown.
The Sun (2009)
Gurkhas who were in Britain as asylum seekers had awaited the ruling with trepidation as they feared deportation.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
I went along with more than a little trepidation.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
I get into the plastic dinghy with not a little trepidation.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Well, they are thinking about the next few weeks with a little more trepidation than they did before.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
I wake up each day with a feeling of nervous trepidation, fearing what it will bring.
The Sun (2016)
They host Norwich City today and fans would be forgiven for feeling trepidation.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In other languages
trepidation
British English: trepidation NOUN
Trepidation is fear or anxiety about something that you are going to do or experience.
It was with some trepidation that I viewed the prospect of cycling across the country.
American English: trepidation
Brazilian Portuguese: trepidação
Chinese: 惊恐
European Spanish: inquietud
French: inquiétude
German: Beklommenheit
Italian: trepidazione
Japanese: おののき
Korean: 불안함
European Portuguese: trepidação
Latin American Spanish: temor
(noun)
Definition
a state of fear or anxiety
(formal)
It was with some trepidation that I viewed the prospect.
Synonyms
anxiety
His voice was full of anxiety.
fear
I shivered with fear as darkness fell.
worry
His last years were overshadowed by financial worry.
alarm
The news was greeted with alarm by MPs.
emotion
excitement
dread
She thought with dread of the cold winters to come.
butterflies (informal)
shaking
disturbance
dismay
They reacted to the news with dismay.
trembling
fright
To hide my fright I asked a question.
apprehension
It reflects real anger and apprehension about the future.
tremor
He felt a tremor in his arm.
quivering
nervousness
I smiled in an attempt to hide my nervousness.
disquiet
There is growing public disquiet.
agitation
He was in a state of emotional agitation.
consternation
His decision caused consternation among his colleagues.
jitters (informal)
cold feet (informal)
uneasiness
I felt a great uneasiness about meeting her again.
palpitation
cold sweat (informal)
perturbation
blue funk (informal)
the heebie-jeebies (slang)
Opposites
confidence
,
calm
,
composure
,
coolness
,
aplomb
,
equanimity
,
self-assurance
Seeuneasiness
Nearby words of
trepidation
trend
trendsetter
trendy
trepidation
trespass
trespasser
tress
Synonyms of 'trepidation'
trepidation
Explore 'trepidation' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of consternation
Definition
a feeling of anxiety or dismay
His decision caused consternation among his colleagues.
Synonyms
dismay,
shock,
alarm,
horror,
panic,
anxiety,
distress,
confusion,
terror,
dread,
fright,
amazement,
fear,
bewilderment,
trepidation (formal)
in the sense of dismay
Definition
a feeling of alarm or depression
They reacted to the news with dismay.
Synonyms
alarm,
fear,
horror,
panic,
anxiety,
distress,
terror,
dread,
fright,
unease,
apprehension,
nervousness,
agitation,
consternation,
trepidation (formal),
uneasiness
in the sense of disquiet
Definition
a feeling of anxiety or uneasiness
There is growing public disquiet.
Synonyms
uneasiness,
concern,
fear,
worry,
alarm,
anxiety,
distress,
unrest,
angst,
nervousness,
trepidation (formal),
foreboding,
restlessness,
fretfulness,
disquietude
in the sense of dread
Definition
great fear
She thought with dread of the cold winters to come.
Synonyms
fear,
alarm,
horror,
terror,
dismay,
fright,
apprehension,
consternation,
trepidation (formal),
fearfulness,
apprehensiveness,
affright
in the sense of fear
Definition
a feeling of distress or alarm caused by danger or pain that is about to happen
I shivered with fear as darkness fell.
Synonyms
dread,
horror,
panic,
terror,
dismay,
awe,
fright,
tremors,
qualms,
consternation,
alarm,
trepidation (formal),
timidity,
fearfulness,
blue funk (informal),
apprehensiveness,
cravenness
in the sense of fright
Definition
sudden fear or alarm
To hide my fright I asked a question.
Synonyms
fear,
shock,
alarm,
horror,
panic,
terror,
dread,
dismay,
quaking,
apprehension,
consternation,
trepidation (formal),
cold sweat,
fear and trembling,
(blue) funk (informal)
in the sense of nervousness
I smiled in an attempt to hide my nervousness.
Synonyms
anxiety,
stress,
tension,
strain,
unease,
disquiet,
agitation,
trepidation (formal),
timidity,
excitability,
perturbation,
edginess,
worry,
jumpiness,
antsiness (informal),
fluster,
touchiness,
tremulousness
in the sense of tremor
Definition
an involuntary shudder or vibration
He felt a tremor in his arm.
Synonyms
shake,
shaking,
tremble,
trembling,
shiver,
quaking,
wobble,
quiver,
quivering,
agitation,
vibration,
quaver
in the sense of uneasiness
I felt a great uneasiness about meeting her again.
Synonyms
anxiety,
apprehension,
misgiving,
worry,
doubt,
alarm,
suspicion,
nervousness,
disquiet,
agitation,
qualms,
trepidation (formal),
perturbation,
apprehensiveness,
dubiety
in the sense of worry
Definition
a state or feeling of anxiety
His last years were overshadowed by financial worry.