Fear worry

Apprehensive

Also known as trepidation

Strength 2 of 4

Looking ahead to something on its way and bracing for it, unsure it will go well. The unease is pinned to a particular event that is still some distance off.

In the body

  • A held, shallow breath
  • A flutter low in the stomach
  • Shoulders set as if braced

Needs behind it

When these needs aren’t met

HopeClaritySafety

Softer and stronger

  1. Concerned
  2. Uneasy
  3. Apprehensive
  4. Nervous
  5. Worried
  6. Anxious
  7. Dread
  8. Panicked

Often confused with

Cautious

Cautious is steady care in how you move forward; apprehensive is an uneasy expectation that what lies ahead may go wrong.

Dread

Apprehensive is unsure how something ahead will go; dread is a heavy sense that it will go badly and can’t be escaped.

Nervous

Apprehensive looks ahead to an event with doubt about how it will go; nervous is the jittery, keyed-up energy as the moment draws near.