Word: trepidation

Associations

Trepidation means a feeling of fear or anxiety about something that may happen. It often involves anticipation of something negative or uncertain.

• Before giving her speech, she felt a sense of trepidation. This shows she was nervous about speaking.
• There was trepidation in the crowd when the storm hit. Here, people's fear is linked to an impending danger.
• His trepidation grew as the exam approached. This reflects anxiety about an upcoming challenge.

A well-known synonym for trepidation is "apprehension." The main difference is that "apprehension" can sometimes imply a more general, mild sense of fear, while "trepidation" often suggests a stronger, more intense feeling of fear or dread.

Substitution

Some other words or phrases you can use instead of "trepidation" are:

• "anxiety" – this is broader and can refer to worry about various things, not just fear of the unknown.
• "fear" – this is more direct and suggests a strong emotional response to something specific.
• "nervousness" – this often refers to a more temporary feeling compared to the deeper, ongoing sense implied by trepidation.

Deconstruction

The word "trepidation" comes from the Latin "trepidationem," which means "trembling" or "anxiety." The root is "trepidare," which means "to tremble, shake." It gives an idea of fear that makes one feel restless or uneasy.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you felt trepidation before an important event? What did you do to cope with it?
• How does the feeling of trepidation differ from excitement? Can you give an example?
• In what situations do you think feeling trepidation is a natural response?