Apprehension
Apprehension noun - Suspicion or fear of future harm or misfortune.
Usage example: the hikers entered the dark cave with a great deal of apprehension
Optimism is an antonym for apprehension.
Optimism
Optimism noun - An inclination to believe in the most favorable outcome.
Usage example: your perpetual optimism even when things look bleak
Apprehension is an antonym for optimism.
How words are described
Cite this Source
Optimism and Apprehension. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 14, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/apprehension/optimism
Apprehension & Optimism. N.p., 2016. Web. 14 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/apprehension/optimism>.
Optimism or Apprehension. 2016. Accessed August 14, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/apprehension/optimism.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "apprehension" and "optimism" have occurred on timeline