Learning new words helps you express yourself more clearly and with precision. If you do not take the time to learn a new word often, then you will have limited vocabulary to use. That said, learn about trepidation definition, meaning, and usage today.
“Trepidation” means fear or worry about something that will happen. Use the word “trepidation” in sentences when describing a nervous and fearful feeling or a situation. Also, where you or someone has uncertain agitation on something.
But before you start using a new word you have learned, you must have a clear and detailed understanding of the particular word. That way, you gain confidence when using it. This article has everything you need to know about “trepidation,” from meaning, usage, and pronunciation, to history.
What is the Definition of Trepidation?
Trepidation means “a trembling or quivering moment or some tremors.” Use the word when describing someone who has involuntary trembling due to fear or terror.
Use “trepidation” when talking about someone quivering due to effect or paralysis. With this meaning, trepidation usage is quite common in medical contexts, especially in hospitals and medical schools. However, the word also applies in usual contexts, especially where there’s something causing fear to the point of causing a tremble. Basically, the word means trembling movements or actions.
Here are some examples:
- Though Mary was shaking with trepidation, she finally faced her fear of heights.
- While everyone in the classroom fears rodents, Leon has no sense of trepidation over them.
- My kids got overpowered by trepidation as the earthquake bore down.
Words Connected to Trepidation
In English, some words have a connection to each other. These words have the same meaning, opposite meaning, or a similar sound. Learning these words is crucial as it enables you to compare the meaning of words with those you already know. Let us now learn about the words connected to trepidation.
Synonyms
- Anxiety
- Fear
- Worry
- Uneasiness
- Alarm
- Concern
- Terror
- Scare
- Nervousness
- Creeps
- Emotional
- Doubt
- Qualm
- Unease
- Misgivings
Antonyms
- Calm
- Assurance
- Beauty
- Ease
- Confident
- Poise
- Placid
- Nonchalance
- Control
- Dignity
- Balance
- Fortitude
- Cool
- Nerve
- Patience
Rhyming words
- Application
- Combination
- Determination
- Hesitation
- Registration
- Animation
- Designation
- Motivation
- Replication
- Cultivation
- Orientation
- Implication
- Irritation
- Circulation
- Speculation
What is the Meaning of Trepidation?
Trepidation: The word refers to someone trembling with fright. Use the term to describe someone too scared to the extent of trembling or shaking.
Here are some examples:
- I usually take a sleeping pill when flying to suppress my trepidation levels.
- Though Brenda had lots of trepidation, she faced her fear of snakes at the park.
- The cheering squad revealed that Martha has trepidation whenever there is a large crowd.
Words Often Confused With Trepidation
Trepidation vs. intrepid: Most people confuse the words trepidation with intrepid. These words do not have the same meaning; they are the opposite of each other. Trepidation means a fearful state, while intrepid means being fearless.
Trepidation vs. anxiety: Do not confuse the word trepidation with anxiety. Trepidation means a fearful state or hesitation, while anxiety means an unpleasant state of mental uneasiness.
Trepidation vs. fear: Most people assume that trepidation means fear. But these two words have a slight difference where trepidation means a fearful state, hesitation, or concern, while fear means frightened.
Trepidation vs. anticipation: Trepidation means trembling in fear or fear of what is to come, while anticipation means taking up, placing, or considering something that will happen beforehand.
Trepidation vs. humility: Some people also confuse the words trepidation and humility. But the two do not have the same meaning. Trepidation means to tremble, while humility means being humble in character and behavior.
Trepidation vs. dread: Trepidation and dread are two words people use synonymously. While both words describe fear, trepidation is a fearful state or a state of hesitation, while dread is great fear because of impending evil.
Trepidation vs. scared: The other words that people confuse are trepidation and scared. Trepidation means that someone is trembling in fear, while scared means that someone is having fear or they are afraid, but they might not be trembling.
How to Use Trepidation in a Sentence
Trepidation is a noun to describe the fear that is so extreme that the person feeling it is trembling. Note that this is a negative word. It is also more of a formal word used to express a high level of fear.
What Type of Word is Trepidation?
Trepidation is a mass noun, a type of word that does not have its plural form. The word trepidation is the opposite of “trepid,” which means without fear. However, note that trepidation is a negative word since it is a sophisticated way to discuss fear.
Family Words of “Trepidation”
The word trepidation has two family words, trepidatious and trepidatiously. Read on to find out how to use these words in your sentences.
Trepidatious: The adjective trepidatious means feeling apprehensive or trepidation.
Here are some examples:
- I am trepidated about going into a building that is dark and abandoned.
- The manager is trepidatious about the sale approach they are planning, and he has every right to be.
- Cathrine said that killing a goat was trepidatious.
Trepidatiously: The adverb trepidatiously means in an armed or agitated manner.
Here are some examples:
- I trepidatiously picked my first editor since I knew that would affect my book sales.
- When called to perform, Ivan stepped out trepidatiously because he knew that everyone was waiting to criticize him.
- After the swimming pool heater broke, I headed trepidatiously to the pool, knowing very well that the water would be cold.
10 Examples of Trepidation in a Sentence
Despite all the information you read when learning a new word, some people have difficulty understanding the best way to express the word or introduce it to your sentences. These ten sentence examples will help you.
- The recent house crimes fill me with trepidation because I always think I might be the next target.
- When the lights went off, everyone in the elevator could not keep up with trepidation.
- The guard seemed brave, but he had great trepidation about many things.
- The team is waiting in trepidation for the government to release the funds for the project.
- While waiting for my blind date to arrive, Owen stood by the coffee shop in trepidation.
- Though the project was successful, Mark approached it with trepidation.
- After the school blast, parents came to school in trepidation and panic.
- The musicians approached the event with some trepidation.
- I have only had one moment of trepidation in my entire life.
- Though Moses had a lot of tribulations, he decided to go ahead and swim in the river.
How Do You Spell Trepidation?
The correct spelling of “trepidation” is “T.R.E.P.I.D.A.T.I.O.N.”
Though writing this word is simple, some confuse the “tion” part, pronounced with a short sound /ʃ/ or a “sh” sound.
When writing, some people use the letters “shon” in the last part of the word. However, this is wrong and ends up making no sense. When you learn a new word, you must also understand the correct and proper spelling.
How Do You Pronounce Trepidation?
The correct way to pronounce “trepidation” is “trep-i-dey-shun.”
Most people assume that pronunciation is not as important as learning the meaning and spellings of words. Everything is important. When learning a new word, also learn how to pronounce it.
Note that pronunciation is one of the ways to know someone learning a new language and someone who is a pro. If your goal is to be proficient in English, learn the best way to pronounce words.
How Many Syllables Are In Trepidation?
The word trepidation has four syllables “trep.i.da.tion.”
In addition, it has two stress syllables, the primary one being “da” and the secondary being “trep.” Each time you learn a new word, you should also know the syllables. The syllables are often considered phonological or the building blocks of words. They influence the pronunciation and the stress pattern when speaking. Learning syllables is also a way to help students to decode words faster.
History & Etymology of Trepidation
The origin of the word “trepidation” is the Latin word “trepidare,” which is the past-participle of trepidation. This word means alarm, tremble, or agitation when used in varying contexts.
The PIE root of the word is “trep,” which means to shake or tremble.” Before the term was translated to English, the French language borrowed it and used it as “trepidation.” That was back in the 15th century. English embraced the word and has retained it the way it is up to date.
When Was Trepidation First Used?
The first known use of the word “trepidation” in the English language was in 1605. It used to mean a nervous or fearful feeling.
Conclusion
The word trepidation applies where there is a sense of apprehension. So consider this each time you communicate. Take the time to review the various meanings so that you know the best way to use the word. Don’t forget to practice the word often to ensure you have mastered the trepidation definition and meaning.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.