Apprehension vs. Fear — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 6, 2023
Apprehension is anxiety about a future event, while fear is a response to immediate, known threats.
Difference Between Apprehension and Fear
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Apprehension is an uneasy feeling about the outcome of a future event, laced with uncertainty. It is the anticipation of future difficulty or trouble, often causing worry or unease. Apprehension involves a level of skepticism regarding an upcoming event or situation, where the outcomes are uncertain but not necessarily believed to be negative.
Fear, in contrast, is a primal emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight). It is a powerful, immediate response to a known or understood threat. Fear is more intense than apprehension and is often linked to survival instincts.
Apprehension is a cognitive response that involves the processing and often overthinking of potential future scenarios. It can be subtle and may not provoke a strong physical response. Apprehension may cause one to be cautious or to hesitate when approaching a situation.
Fear can trigger a strong, visceral reaction that is hardwired into our beings, such as increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and adrenaline rush. This reaction is part of the body's fight-or-flight response and is not always rational; it can be triggered by both real and perceived threats.
Apprehension is often based on uncertainty and the worry that comes with not knowing what will happen. It can linger over time as one ruminates about what may come to pass. Apprehension can be related to fear but is less intense and often more generalized.
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Fear is a more acute, immediate emotion that arises in response to a perceived immediate threat. It is often very specific and concrete, related directly to the presence of danger or the expectation of pain. Fear can be both beneficial, in that it can protect us from harm, and debilitating if it becomes overwhelming or irrational.
Comparison Chart
Intensity
Generally less intense.
Typically more intense.
Trigger
Uncertain future events or possibilities.
Immediate, known threats.
Duration
Can be prolonged over time.
Often short-lived and acute.
Physical Response
Mild (e.g., slight nervousness).
Strong (e.g., fight-or-flight response).
Focus
Concerned with the future and unknowns.
Focused on present and known dangers.
Compare with Definitions
Apprehension
Anxiety or fear about the future
She felt apprehension about starting her new job.
Fear
An unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous
Fear gripped her as she heard the footsteps behind her.
Apprehension
The act of detaining someone
The suspect's apprehension was carried out by the police.
Fear
The likelihood of something unwelcome happening
There is a fear that the virus will spread.
Apprehension
The cognitive condition of someone who understands
Apprehension dawned as he read the report.
Fear
Fear is an emotion induced by the perception or recognition of phenomena which can pose a danger or threat. Fear causes physiological changes and therefore may produce behavioral changes, such as mounting an aggressive response or fleeing the threat.
Apprehension
An anticipatory fear of what may come
Apprehension filled the room as the storm approached.
Fear
A very unpleasant or disturbing feeling caused by the presence or imminence of danger
Our fears intensified as the storm approached.
Apprehension
Fearful or uneasy anticipation of the future; dread.
Fear
A state or condition marked by this feeling
Living in constant fear of attack.
Saved as much as he could for fear of losing his job.
Apprehension
The act of seizing or capturing; arrest.
Fear
A feeling of disquiet or apprehension
A fear of looking foolish.
Apprehension
The ability to apprehend or understand; understanding.
Fear
A reason for dread or apprehension
Being alone is my greatest fear.
Apprehension
(rare) The physical act of seizing or taking hold of (something); seizing.
Fear
Extreme reverence or awe, as toward a deity.
Apprehension
(legal) The act of seizing or taking by legal process; arrest.
Fear
To be afraid or frightened of
A boy who fears spiders.
Apprehension
Perception; the act of understanding using one's intellect without affirming, denying, or passing any judgment
Fear
To be uneasy or apprehensive about
We all feared what we would see when the grades were posted.
Apprehension
Opinion; conception; sentiment; idea.
Fear
To consider probable; expect
I fear you are wrong. I fear I have bad news for you.
Apprehension
The faculty by which ideas are conceived or by which perceptions are grasped; understanding.
Fear
To revere or be in awe of (a deity, for example).
Apprehension
Anticipation, especially of unfavorable things such as dread or fear or the prospect of something unpleasant in the future.
Fear
To be afraid
Your injury is minor. Don't fear.
Apprehension
The act of seizing or taking hold of; seizure; as, the hand is an organ of apprehension.
Fear
To be uneasy or apprehensive
We fear for the future of the business.
Apprehension
The act of seizing or taking by legal process; arrest; as, the felon, after his apprehension, escaped.
Fear
(uncountable) A strong, uncontrollable, unpleasant emotion or feeling caused by actual or perceived danger or threat.
He was struck by fear on seeing the snake.
Apprehension
The act of grasping with the intellect; the contemplation of things, without affirming, denying, or passing any judgment; intellection; perception.
Simple apprehension denotes no more than the soul's naked intellection of an object.
Fear
(countable) A phobia, a sense of fear induced by something or someone.
Not everybody has the same fears.
I have a fear of ants.
Apprehension
Opinion; conception; sentiment; idea.
To false, and to be thought false, is all one in respect of men, who act not according to truth, but apprehension.
Fear
(uncountable) Terrified veneration or reverence, particularly towards God, gods, or sovereigns.
Apprehension
The faculty by which ideas are conceived; understanding; as, a man of dull apprehension.
Fear
(transitive) To be afraid of (something or someone); to consider or expect (something or someone) with alarm.
I fear the worst will happen.
Apprehension
Anticipation, mostly of things unfavorable; distrust or fear at the prospect of future evil.
After the death of his nephew Caligula, Claudius was in no small apprehension for his own life.
Fear
(intransitive) To feel fear.
Never fear; help is always near.
Apprehension
Fearful expectation or anticipation;
The student looked around the examination room with apprehension
Fear
To worry about, to feel concern for, to be afraid for.
She fears for her son’s safety.
Apprehension
The cognitive condition of someone who understands;
He has virtually no understanding of social cause and effect
Fear
(transitive) To venerate; to feel awe towards.
People who fear God can be found in Christian churches.
Apprehension
Painful expectation
Fear
(transitive) To regret.
I fear I have bad news for you: your husband has died.
Apprehension
The act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal);
The policeman on the beat got credit for the collar
Fear
To cause fear to; to frighten.
Apprehension
Understanding or grasp of a concept
His apprehension of the subject matter was impressive.
Fear
To be anxious or solicitous for.
Fear
To suspect; to doubt.
Fear
(dialectal) Able; capable; stout; strong; sound.
Hale and fear
Fear
A variant of Fere, a mate, a companion.
Fear
A painful emotion or passion excited by the expectation of evil, or the apprehension of impending danger; apprehension; anxiety; solicitude; alarm; dread.
Fear is an uneasiness of the mind, upon the thought of future evil likely to befall us.
Where no hope is left, is left no fear.
Fear
Apprehension of incurring, or solicitude to avoid, God's wrath; the trembling and awful reverence felt toward the Supreme Being.
I will put my fear in their hearts.
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Render therefore to all their dues; tribute to whom tribute is due . . . fear to whom fear.
Fear
That which causes, or which is the object of, apprehension or alarm; source or occasion of terror; danger; dreadfulness.
There were they in great fear, where no fear was.
The fear of your adventure would counsel you to a more equal enterprise.
Fear
To feel a painful apprehension of; to be afraid of; to consider or expect with emotion of alarm or solicitude.
I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.
Fear
To have a reverential awe of; to be solicitous to avoid the displeasure of.
Leave them to God above; him serve and fear.
Fear
To be anxious or solicitous for; now replaced by fear for.
The sins of the father are to be laid upon the children, therefore . . . I fear you.
Fear
To suspect; to doubt.
Ay what else, fear you not her courage?
Fear
To affright; to terrify; to drive away or prevent approach of by fear.
Fear their people from doing evil.
Tush, tush! fear boys with bugs.
Fear
To be in apprehension of evil; to be afraid; to feel anxiety on account of some expected evil.
I exceedingly fear and quake.
Fear
An emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
Fear
An anxious feeling;
Care had aged him
They hushed it up out of fear of public reaction
Fear
A profound emotion inspired by a deity;
The fear of God
Fear
Be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event;
I fear she might get aggressive
Fear
Be afraid or scared of; be frightened of;
I fear the winters in Moscow
We should not fear the Communists!
Fear
Be sorry; used to introduce an unpleasant statement;
I fear I won't make it to your wedding party
Fear
Be uneasy or apprehensive about;
I fear the results of the final exams
Fear
Regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of;
Fear God as your father
We venerate genius
Fear
A feeling of anxiety concerning an outcome
The fear of failure often hinders progress.
Fear
To be afraid of someone or something as likely to be dangerous
He said he didn't fear anyone.
Fear
A mixed feeling of dread and reverence
They had a great fear of the sacred site.
Common Curiosities
Can apprehension turn into fear?
Yes, if uncertainty becomes a perceived threat, apprehension can evolve into fear.
How can one reduce feelings of apprehension?
Preparation and gaining more information about the concerning issue can reduce apprehension.
Is fear always a bad thing?
No, fear can be a protective response that keeps us safe from danger.
Can fear be irrational?
Yes, sometimes fear can be based on irrational beliefs or perceived threats that are not real.
What causes fear in humans?
Fear can be caused by threats, learned experiences, or even genetic predispositions.
Does everyone experience apprehension the same way?
No, the intensity and trigger of apprehension can vary greatly from person to person.
Can you feel both apprehension and fear at the same time?
Yes, it’s possible to experience both emotions simultaneously.
What are some physical symptoms of fear?
Increased heart rate, sweating, trembling, and a strong urge to escape are common symptoms.
Is apprehension a form of stress?
Apprehension can be a type of stress, especially if it is constant or chronic.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
