Apprehend vs. Apprehensive — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 26, 2024
Apprehend involves understanding or arresting, whereas apprehensive refers to a feeling of anxiety about future events.
Difference Between Apprehend and Apprehensive
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Apprehend can mean to grasp the meaning of something or to understand it intellectually, whereas apprehensive is used to describe a feeling of fear or anxiety about something that might happen. This difference highlights the distinct nature of the terms: one is action-oriented and the other is emotion-oriented.
In a legal context, to apprehend someone is to arrest them, often used in law enforcement. On the other hand, feeling apprehensive never involves direct action but reflects an internal state of unease or concern about future uncertainties.
When you apprehend a concept or idea, it means you have successfully comprehended or understood it fully. Conversely, being apprehensive involves no direct grasp or understanding but is more about anticipating potential negative outcomes.
Educators often aim to help students apprehend complex subjects, ensuring they have a clear and thorough understanding. In contrast, students might feel apprehensive about exams or presentations due to nervousness or lack of confidence.
The usage of apprehend often implies a successful outcome, as in securing understanding or capturing a fugitive. Apprehensive, however, typically suggests a lack of control over future events, emphasizing vulnerability and worry.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To understand or arrest
Feeling anxious about future events
Part of Speech
Verb
Adjective
Usage in Sentence
Typically involves action
Describes a state of feeling
Connotation
Neutral, can be positive in educational contexts
Generally negative, associated with anxiety
Example of Use
"Police apprehend the suspect after a chase."
"She felt apprehensive about the upcoming meeting."
Compare with Definitions
Apprehend
To arrest or take into custody.
The fugitive was apprehended at the border.
Apprehensive
Expressing anxiety.
His apprehensive glance revealed his inner turmoil.
Apprehend
To anticipate with dread or anxiety.
I apprehend that we will encounter many difficulties.
Apprehensive
Reluctant due to fear of negative outcomes.
They were apprehensive about trying the new restaurant.
Apprehend
To grasp the meaning of something.
She was quick to apprehend the implications of the new policy.
Apprehensive
Full of apprehension.
Apprehensive parents waited for news about the school incident.
Apprehend
To perceive or understand with the senses.
He apprehended a strange noise in the hallway.
Apprehensive
Anxious or fearful about the future.
She felt apprehensive about her job interview.
Apprehend
To consider or regard in a specified way.
They apprehend such changes as a threat.
Apprehensive
Characterized by awareness or understanding of potential dangers.
He was apprehensive about walking alone at night.
Apprehend
To take into custody; arrest
Apprehended the murderer.
Apprehensive
Anxious or fearful that something bad or unpleasant will happen
He felt apprehensive about going home
Apprehend
To grasp mentally; understand
"Science is the systematic method by which we apprehend what is true about the real world in which we live" (Richard Dawkins).
Apprehensive
Relating to perception or understanding.
Apprehend
To become conscious of, as through the emotions or senses; perceive
"She began to look with her own eyes.
To see and to apprehend the deeper undercurrents of life" (Kate Chopin).
Apprehensive
Anxious or fearful about the future; uneasy
Was apprehensive before the surgery.
Apprehend
(Archaic) To anticipate with worry or dread.
Apprehensive
(Archaic) Capable of understanding and quick to apprehend.
Apprehend
To understand something.
Apprehensive
Anticipating something with anxiety, fear, or doubt.
Apprehend
(transitive)
Apprehensive
(obsolete) Perceptive; quick to learn; capable of understanding using one's intellect.
Apprehend
To be or become aware of (something); to perceive.
Apprehensive
Capable of apprehending, or quick to do so; apt; discerning.
It may be pardonable to imagine that a friend, a kind and apprehensive . . . friend, is listening to our talk.
Apprehend
To acknowledge the existence of (something); to recognize.
Apprehensive
Knowing; conscious; cognizant.
A man that has spent his younger years in vanity and folly, and is, by the grace of God, apprehensive of it.
Apprehend
To take hold of (something) with understanding; to conceive (something) in the mind; to become cognizant of; to understand.
Apprehensive
Relating to the faculty of apprehension.
Judgment . . . is implied in every apprehensive act.
Apprehend
To have a conception of (something); to consider, to regard.
Apprehensive
Anticipative of something unfavorable' fearful of what may be coming; in dread of possible harm; in expectation of evil.
Not at all apprehensive of evils as a distance.
Reformers . . . apprehensive for their lives.
Apprehend
To anticipate (something, usually unpleasant); especially, to anticipate (something) with anxiety, dread, or fear; to dread, to fear.
Apprehensive
Sensible; feeling; perceptive.
Thoughts, my tormentors, armed with deadly stings,Mangle my apprehensive, tenderest parts.
Apprehend
To seize or take (something); to take hold of.
Apprehensive
Quick to understand;
A kind and apprehensive friend
Apprehend
(law enforcement) To seize or take (a person) by legal process; to arrest.
Officers apprehended the suspect two streets away from the bank.
Apprehensive
Mentally upset over possible misfortune or danger etc; worried;
Anxious parents
Anxious about her job
Not used to a city and anxious about small things
Felt apprehensive about the consequences
Apprehend
(obsolete)
Apprehensive
In fear or dread of possible evil or harm;
Apprehensive for one's life
Apprehensive of danger
Apprehend
(intransitive)
Apprehend
To be of opinion, believe, or think; to suppose.
Apprehend
To understand.
Apprehend
To be apprehensive; to fear.
Apprehend
To take or seize; to take hold of.
We have two hands to apprehend it.
Apprehend
Hence: To take or seize (a person) by legal process; to arrest; as, to apprehend a criminal.
Apprehend
To take hold of with the understanding, that is, to conceive in the mind; to become cognizant of; to understand; to recognize; to consider.
This suspicion of Earl Reimund, though at first but a buzz, soon got a sting in the king's head, and he violently apprehended it.
The eternal laws, such as the heroic age apprehended them.
Apprehend
To know or learn with certainty.
G. You are too much distrustful of my truth.E. Then you must give me leave to apprehendThe means and manner how.
Apprehend
To anticipate; esp., to anticipate with anxiety, dread, or fear; to fear.
The opposition had more reason than the king to apprehend violence.
Apprehend
To think, believe, or be of opinion; to understand; to suppose.
Apprehend
To be apprehensive; to fear.
It is worse to apprehend than to suffer.
Apprehend
Get the meaning of something;
Do you comprehend the meaning of this letter?
Apprehend
Take into custody;
The police nabbed the suspected criminals
Apprehend
Anticipate with dread or anxiety
Common Curiosities
What makes someone feel apprehensive?
Feelings of uncertainty or fear about future events typically make someone feel apprehensive.
Can apprehend be used in a non-legal context?
Yes, apprehend can also mean to understand or grasp something intellectually.
Can animals be apprehensive?
Yes, animals can also show signs of being apprehensive in uncertain or threatening situations.
Is apprehensive always a negative trait?
While generally associated with anxiety, being apprehensive can be positive if it leads to cautious and prepared behavior.
How can apprehending a concept differ from feeling apprehensive?
Apprehending a concept involves understanding it clearly, while feeling apprehensive involves anxiety about future uncertainties.
What does it mean to apprehend someone?
To apprehend someone means to arrest them or take them into custody.
Does apprehend have any synonyms?
Yes, synonyms for apprehend include capture, arrest, seize, understand, and perceive.
How can teachers help students apprehend difficult topics?
Teachers can use clear explanations, visual aids, and interactive activities to help students apprehend difficult topics.
Can you overcome feeling apprehensive?
Yes, with proper preparation, positive thinking, and experience, one can reduce feelings of apprehension.
Is it common to feel apprehensive before important events?
Yes, it's common for people to feel apprehensive before events like exams, interviews, or major life changes.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
