Apprehension vs. Fear
Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on September 30, 2023
Apprehension is anxiety or fear about the future, while fear is a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, or pain.
Key Differences
Apprehension is often associated with uncertainty and is usually more focused on future events or outcomes. It might not have a clear and present stimulus, making it more associated with worry about the unknown or the anticipation of potential problems. Fear, however, is an emotional response to a known or defined threat, and it is generally a reaction to something tangible and current, causing a more immediate and often more intense response.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
In terms of physiological responses, both apprehension and fear can activate the body’s stress response, leading to symptoms such as increased heart rate, sweating, and heightened senses. However, fear usually provokes more pronounced and immediate physiological reactions due to its direct link to perceived threats, while the responses to apprehension might be less intense and more prolonged, given its association with anticipation and uncertainty.
Janet White
Sep 30, 2023
Apprehension and Fear, while similar, diverge in their scopes and triggers. Apprehension is generally characterized by a feeling of anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen in the future. It is a sense of foreboding or anticipation of adverse outcomes, often marked by unease and worry. On the contrary, fear is a more intense and immediate emotion triggered by the perception of an imminent threat or danger, usually leading to a fight-or-flight response.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
Apprehension, being more future-oriented, can lead to prolonged stress and anxiety as it relates to anticipated events or consequences. This could involve situations where the outcome is uncertain, and there is a possibility of negative results, making individuals experience discomfort and concern. In contrast, fear tends to be short-lived and is typically a survival mechanism, alerting individuals to the presence of danger and preparing the body to react, either by escaping or confronting the threat.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
Comparison Chart
Definition
Anxiety or fear about the future.
A distressing emotion aroused by impending danger.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
Trigger
Uncertainty and anticipation of adverse outcomes.
Known or defined imminent threat or danger.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
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Duration
Can be prolonged due to its future-oriented nature.
Generally short-lived and immediate.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
Physiological Response
Can be less intense and more prolonged.
Usually more pronounced and immediate.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
Focus
More on future events or outcomes.
On immediate and present threats or dangers.
Harlon Moss
Sep 30, 2023
Apprehension and Fear Definitions
Apprehension
Understanding or grasp.
His apprehension of the complex theory was commendable.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
Fear
A feeling of anxiety concerning the outcome of something.
He lived in constant fear of failure.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
Apprehension
Anticipation of adversity or misfortune.
There was a sense of apprehension in the room as they awaited the verdict.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
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Fear
A reverential awe, especially toward God.
He acted out of fear of the Lord.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
Apprehension
Suspicion or fear of future trouble or evil.
The haunted house filled him with apprehension.
Samantha Walker
Sep 30, 2023
Fear
The likelihood of something unwelcome happening.
There is no fear of him failing.
Harlon Moss
Sep 30, 2023
Apprehension
The act of arresting or capturing.
The apprehension of the suspect occurred without incident.
Samantha Walker
Sep 30, 2023
Fear
To be afraid of someone or something as likely to be dangerous.
He fears the wrath of his parents.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
Apprehension
A fearful or uneasy anticipation of the future.
She felt apprehension about her upcoming exams.
Janet White
Sep 30, 2023
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Fear
A very unpleasant or disturbing feeling caused by the presence or imminence of danger
Our fears intensified as the storm approached.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 07, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 07, 2022
Apprehension
(rare) The physical act of seizing or taking hold of (something); seizing.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 07, 2022
Apprehension
Perception; the act of understanding using one's intellect without affirming, denying, or passing any judgment
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Sep 07, 2022
Fear
To be uneasy or apprehensive about
We all feared what we would see when the grades were posted.
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Sep 07, 2022
Fear
To consider probable; expect
I fear you are wrong. I fear I have bad news for you.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 07, 2022
Apprehension
The faculty by which ideas are conceived or by which perceptions are grasped; understanding.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 07, 2022
Apprehension
Anticipation, especially of unfavorable things such as dread or fear or the prospect of something unpleasant in the future.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 07, 2022
Apprehension
The act of seizing or taking hold of; seizure; as, the hand is an organ of apprehension.
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Sep 07, 2022
Apprehension
The act of seizing or taking by legal process; arrest; as, the felon, after his apprehension, escaped.
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Sep 07, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 07, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 07, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 07, 2022
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.
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Sep 07, 2022
Fear
(uncountable) Terrified veneration or reverence, particularly towards God, gods, or sovereigns.
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Sep 07, 2022
Apprehension
The faculty by which ideas are conceived; understanding; as, a man of dull apprehension.
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Sep 07, 2022
Fear
(transitive) To be afraid of (something or someone); to consider or expect (something or someone) with alarm.
I fear the worst will happen.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 07, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 07, 2022
Apprehension
Fearful expectation or anticipation;
The student looked around the examination room with apprehension
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 07, 2022
Fear
To worry about, to feel concern for, to be afraid for.
She fears for her son’s safety.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 07, 2022
Apprehension
The cognitive condition of someone who understands;
He has virtually no understanding of social cause and effect
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 07, 2022
Fear
(transitive) To venerate; to feel awe towards.
People who fear God can be found in Christian churches.
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Sep 07, 2022
Fear
(transitive) To regret.
I fear I have bad news for you: your husband has died.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 07, 2022
Apprehension
The act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal);
The policeman on the beat got credit for the collar
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 07, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 07, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 07, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 07, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 07, 2022
Fear
To have a reverential awe of; to be solicitous to avoid the displeasure of.
Leave them to God above; him serve and fear.
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Sep 07, 2022
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.
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Sep 07, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 07, 2022
Fear
To be in apprehension of evil; to be afraid; to feel anxiety on account of some expected evil.
I exceedingly fear and quake.
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Sep 07, 2022
Fear
An emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
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Sep 07, 2022
Fear
An anxious feeling;
Care had aged him
They hushed it up out of fear of public reaction
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Sep 07, 2022
Fear
Be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event;
I fear she might get aggressive
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Sep 07, 2022
Fear
Be afraid or scared of; be frightened of;
I fear the winters in Moscow
We should not fear the Communists!
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Sep 07, 2022
Fear
Be sorry; used to introduce an unpleasant statement;
I fear I won't make it to your wedding party
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Sep 07, 2022
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
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 07, 2022
Fear
An unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous.
The fear of spiders is quite common.
Janet White
Sep 30, 2023
FAQs
Can fear cause immediate physiological reactions?
Yes, fear can provoke immediate and pronounced physiological reactions.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 30, 2023
Can apprehension be related to future events?
Yes, apprehension often involves anxiety or fear about the future.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
Is fear always related to a present and known threat?
Generally, yes, fear is often a response to a perceived immediate threat.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
Can apprehension lead to prolonged stress?
Yes, apprehension about future events can lead to prolonged stress.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
Does apprehension always relate to fear or anxiety?
No, it can also mean understanding or the act of arresting.
Janet White
Sep 30, 2023
Can fear be a protective mechanism?
Yes, fear can serve as a protective mechanism, signaling danger.
Janet White
Sep 30, 2023
Can fear be learned?
Yes, fear can be learned through experiences or observations.
Harlon Moss
Sep 30, 2023
Can apprehension be caused by uncertainty?
Yes, uncertainty and anticipation of adverse outcomes often cause apprehension.
Harlon Moss
Sep 30, 2023
Can fear lead to avoidance behavior?
Yes, fear often leads to avoidance of perceived threats.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 30, 2023
Can fear exist without a specific object or person causing it?
Yes, fear can sometimes be nonspecific or irrational.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
Does apprehension involve a reaction to a current threat?
Typically, no, it’s more related to future-oriented concerns or uncertainties.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 30, 2023
Is fear always short-lived?
Typically, yes, but it can have lasting impacts in some situations.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
Is apprehension a type of fear?
It can be considered a form of fear, specifically related to anticipation of future events.
Harlon Moss
Sep 30, 2023
Can one feel apprehension without knowing the reason?
Yes, apprehension can be felt without a clear reason, often due to uncertainty.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
Is apprehension more about worrying?
Yes, apprehension often involves worry about potential future adversities.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
