apprehensively
2
6.0
- adverb
- /ˌæprɪˈhɛnsɪvli/
:
con aprensión
- She walked apprehensively into the room, fearing what she might find.
- watched apprehensively
- looked apprehensively
- waited apprehensively
Examples
-
"Who's coming?" asked the Mouse apprehensively, staring at the locked door to their quarters.
Fiction book (1991) -
There were grunts on the path behind him, and Inti emerged from the forest bearing, somewhat apprehensively, Switters's crocodile-skin valise.
Fiction book (2001) -
Her glance ran apprehensively from one to the other.
Fiction book (1994) -
The two young people on stage apprehensively watched him come toward them, as if expecting to be castigated.
Fiction book (1990) -
Back in his study, he sat at his desk, apprehensively reading the pages typed by his secretary.
Fiction book (1997) -
Jeff glances apprehensively at the man in the pickup, who has not moved during the scene.
Fiction book (1997) -
George followed Hogg down the dark corridor, looking around him apprehensively.
Fiction book (1993) -
"Kurt, are you all right?" Nina said apprehensively.
Fiction book (1999) -
Jessica eyed the ferry landing and the "Danger Keep Off" sign apprehensively.
Fiction book (2002) -
He's still there with the suitcase—waiting apprehensively to see what's become of Batman.
Fiction book (1992)
Synonyms
43
3.2
In a worried or nervous way
19
4.2
In a worried or uncomfortable way
14
3.2
In a slow, unsure way because of doubt
8
3.4
Showing that you are afraid
3
6.5
In a careful way that avoids risk or saying too much
3
2.0
In a way that shows you feel afraid or unsure
1
6.0
In a nervous, tense way that shows worry
1
8.2
To act in a shy and scared way
1
6.1
In a slow, unsure way that shows doubt
To do something in a nervous or afraid way
In a way that shows fear, for example by looking worried or speaking softly
In a nervous way that shows fear or hesitation
Antonyms
How Anxious
Surface Forms
Morphology
apprehensively = apprehensive (transparent) = apprehend + ive + ly
The adverb is formed by the regular addition of '-ly' to the adjective 'apprehensive', so the derivation from that base is straightforward and predictable for learners.
Etymology
Apprehensively comes from the Latin root prehend meaning 'to grasp', and it is related to the common word apprehend which means 'to catch' or 'to understand'. A helpful way to remember it is to picture someone 'grasping' a bad thought or being 'caught' by worry, which is why apprehensively means showing worry that something bad may happen.